| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Deann |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 19:36:54
Hi there, had my snake for just short of 6 months now.
I've just recently found that the viv I have has mites. Although nothing has changed with the snake in her actions etc. I'm not sure as to whether she is 'infected' per say. She doesn't have any raised scales, no black spots, no unusual hiding/burrowing habits, still eating fine but I can see what I assume to be mites on the bottom of the vivarium, they are TINY and I can only see maybe 10 at a time if that. I have spoken to a woman that runs a Scottish Reptile Charity and she suggested I was the original Listorene and water and wash the viv out with that, I have been doing it but no success as of yet.
So, my question is this:
Is this a suitable method and how long should they take to disappear?
And another question, if theyre not gone I've been thinking about buying a new viv and I was thinking about this ;
http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/housing/vivariums/5060127652297
but I don't know if it would suffice as it is only 8" tall?
Please answer both the questions because I've been thinking about a new vivarium for a while.
Thank you in advance, sorry if it's long winded. |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Deann |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 22:31:47
quote:
Originally posted by smart bunny
If they are snake mites changing viv will make no difference whatsoever as they will be on the snake without a doubt. As previously said, they are more likely to be springtails if they are in the substrate. Mites lay their eggs in wood, but most of the time they will be on the snake. No way would you have a ton of mites in the substrate and none at all on the snake.
As to the viv - I really really like those design, but I did decide I just wasn't happy with the height of them for my snakes as it seems so shallow. The faun I have for hatchlings is taller than that, and they always climbed right up to the top of it. Loads of people do use them perfectly happily though.
I'm going to be bathing her again to be entirely sure that she doesn't have them. As I've said before there are no raised scales, no black dots and the last time I bathed her nothing came of it except a nice snake poop. No evidence of mite poo or drowned mites.
It was the height that was putting me off but with her being 6 months and pretty small it will do for now as the 4ft vivid I have just now is an eyesore as less than half of it is actually being used and the other half is in complete darkness. |
| Welshlamb |
Posted - 07/10/2012 : 11:06:42
Until what age can they stay in the viv? |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 06/10/2012 : 21:49:52
If they are snake mites changing viv will make no difference whatsoever as they will be on the snake without a doubt. As previously said, they are more likely to be springtails if they are in the substrate. Mites lay their eggs in wood, but most of the time they will be on the snake. No way would you have a ton of mites in the substrate and none at all on the snake.
As to the viv - I really really like those design, but I did decide I just wasn't happy with the height of them for my snakes as it seems so shallow. The faun I have for hatchlings is taller than that, and they always climbed right up to the top of it. Loads of people do use them perfectly happily though. |
| Deann |
Posted - 06/10/2012 : 15:55:16
quote:
Originally posted by Ness
That's what we got for my daughter's hatchling, Ruby, and she's fine in it with 2 hides and some greenery. She's very confident though and out in the open a lot. I think if I'd put my Tanith in one that size she'd need more hiding places but would still be fine.
It's a really good design very secure. The only thing thing I could find fault with is that there's an escape proof hole for the mat stat in the back but I couldn't get a thermometer through the same hole, so have the whole thing inside it. Hope that helps 
Brilliant, thanks for the reply. I now use an Infrared Thermometer anyway to safe using more wires and to be more accurate than the Exo Terro thermometer. Thank you, looks like its time to change over vivariums. |
| Ness |
Posted - 06/10/2012 : 11:04:19
quote:
Originally posted by Deann
Would that new vivarium be alright for the snake? With enough greenery etc?
That's what we got for my daughter's hatchling, Ruby, and she's fine in it with 2 hides and some greenery. She's very confident though and out in the open a lot. I think if I'd put my Tanith in one that size she'd need more hiding places but would still be fine.
It's a really good design very secure. The only thing thing I could find fault with is that there's an escape proof hole for the mat stat in the back but I couldn't get a thermometer through the same hole, so have the whole thing inside it. Hope that helps |
| Deann |
Posted - 06/10/2012 : 01:16:39
Would that new vivarium be alright for the snake? With enough greenery etc? |
| Deann |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 20:17:21
They're tiny black spots, when I first got the viv I noticed a collection of dust in the corner of it, not like a substrate dust. I wasn't sure what it was but know I'm kinda thinking it could be termites or something along those lines. They are over at the waterdish but are also over at the same corner as the heat mat. How would I tell for sure they are mites?
Also, I was using hemp substrate but I have changed to newspaper/kitchen towel when I started the cleansing process.
Thank you both for replies. |
| ScalySituation |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 20:08:55
Are they lurking around the water bowl? They be harmless and helpful springtails |
| Isoldael |
Posted - 04/10/2012 : 20:00:09
As for the mites - are you sure they are mites and not some other bug? Also, I don't know what kind of substrate you use, but try using something that's easily replaced like kitchen towel. This should keep the bugs from hiding in between the substrate. Keep cleaning (and also bathe your snake) and you should get rid of them in the end :) |
