Mites & Black Knight

[Stormyva]

I think my most recent addition, a baby childrens, might have mites.
I have spotted only one very small black bug on it and have been keeping a very close eye for others. I have inspected the cage and snake and have not seen any other bugs. There are no raised scales or dark spots on the snake. I am thinking that the bugs must have been in the Repti-Bark that I purchased from a local pet "superstore"

I was thinking of treating the cage/snake with Black Knight as a preventative measure.....

1. Does anyone have any recommendations treating babies for mites?

2. Should I watch and see if more turn up?

3. Where can I get a can of Black Knight?
[addsig]

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

THere's a big thread on this somewhere, very recent...like health issues maybe.

Anyway, I'm quite sure you're NOT supposed to apply black knight to the animal.

It's tough to treat mites for a snake that little b/c they dehydrate so easily...
[addsig]

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[eddie]

Good call J, I wouldn't use chems on one that small either.

Check out the caresheets to the left and you'll find the mites section in the misc. area.
Remember that most treatments for mites are dehydrating to snakes and one as small as yours will need to be rinsed free of the treatment, such as mineral oil to prevent big problems.
[addsig]

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[scarlettrose2006]

here is article by the Barkers....on mites and black knight...i have heard a lot of people had good results with black knight and i just got a can myself...in case i ever need it, i'll have it on hand...here is the article, scroll down till you hit "black knight"

black knight

and here is where i got my can...i can HIGHLY recommend them, they have the BEST price on it per single can, that i have ever seen...i paid through paypal and got my can a couple days later.....it was like $17 shipped or so.

black knight distributer

hope i was of help...
[addsig]

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[scarlettrose2006]

i would NOT use mineral oil, if it was my snake...it can cause very bad sheds for time to come...but thats just IMHO.
If you want to be safe, use the Black Knight on enclosure only....remove the baby and the water, wait till it airs out well before returning it to the enclosure...just follow all the instructions, but remove baby and water.
Mites are a pest, and better take care of it swiftly but safely, before they spread through your house/collection...

[addsig]

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[eddie]

Oh yeah, remember that since the life cycle is two weeks or so for mites, then retreatment may be needed.
And treat the cage as well!
[addsig]

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

[Stormyva]

Thanks for the info!

I will keep the baby in a plastic bin for a day or so, and treat the cage and substrate.

I am also going to treat my other two snakes with the Black Knight. I have not seen any mites on them but they are in the same room and my BCI has Repti-Bark from the same bag that is in the Children's enclosure.




[addsig]

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> i would NOT use mineral oil, if it was my snake...it can cause very bad sheds for time to come...but thats just IMHO. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

I have used mineral oil on my snakes for many years now when needed. I also have never had any ill affect from doing such either. Can't even recall a time when MO caused a bad shed or even a snake that went into a bad shed after it had mineral oil applied to it even. That's IMO

As for the black knight thing and is it safe to use at all ? Umm.. i prolly only have heard a few people use the stuff and of the same people I know of at least one that lost a snake from the stuff also.
FYI.. Supposedly the stuff can be applied directly to the snake also from what the directions and others have refernced at times. I wouldn't but that's me .

[addsig]

	In My Opinon IMO = In My Opinion and IMHO = In My Honest Opinion

Leaving on a jet plane.. going to the health forums...don't think that I'll be back in this forum again....

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[Hibidyjibidy]

With all this said on eradicating mites from the snakes, I've read that a safe way to rid the animal from mites is to place it in an escape-proof container of water for an hour. Would this be true?
[addsig]

	Mites Mites, close relatives of fleas and ticks