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High humidity snakes and Provent A Mite

Posted By:

Katie M

In Relation To:

Flava Flav

So, here's another one for you that's been causing me a bunch of stress with the upcoming move. I have purchased a bunch of Provent A Mite to take care of any last little critters that came in on one of my pet-store snakes. I've been treating everyone with Frontline Spray (as prescribed by my vet). After hearing all of you talk about how awesome P.A.M. is, I decided to do a huge sweep through with the move, as I'll already have all of the snakes secured to travel, and can't think of a better time to just desimate any remaining nasties. So, with the boas and ball pythons, I have the plan of attack down. Big question is the Brazilian Rainbow Boas. They are on Eco-Earth substrate, and require a much greater humidity than any of the other snakes. Since I use Eco-Earth because it stays moist and keeps great humidity levels, how is P.A.M not going to be toxic? Since you aren't supposed to put the snake back until the enclosure is well dried and aired out? Their cages won't be allowed to get dry.... Good news is that I don't think they've been exposed to the mites at all. Bad news is that it would be difficult to be positive about that, given that they're in a dirt like substrate, so a speck of dirt could potentially be a mite... Ahhhggg... what do I do?!?!?! (I can and will call my vet, but being a holiday weekend in the U.S. it's going to have to wait until Tuesday, but I want to know now!!)

Thanks!!!!


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Skin , Medications
Tags:	Humidity, Mites, Treatment
Species:	Boas > Rainbow Boas > Epicrates cenchria cenchria
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

8/31/2008 11:48:00 AM

aaron

Hehe, the impetuousness of youth. :P

Do the PAM and let it dry out. Cover as much of the cage as you can to eliminate the air flow, and just spray the sides with a spray bottle a few times a day... you can also put in a branch with a wet towel above the substrate to increase the humidity. I just wouldn't keep the PAMmed areas wet.

With the chondros I got that had hitchhikers, it wasn't a big deal because they were perched and it was quite easy for them not to come in contact with the substrate. For terrestrials, you shouldn't need to have the substrate damp, just humid in the encloser... so anywhere there is not substrate, try ways to increase the humidity.

Leave this question open for a bit, I'd like to hear other suggestions. Not being a terrestrial guy, I'm really just guessing.

Author Comment

8/31/2008 11:52:52 AM

Katie M

Lol... better watch it, or I might start calling you an old fart ;P I didn't think 26 was all that young, but I'll take it :) The boas were purchased from a breeder that recommended the Eco-Earth for them, as they do like to burrow in the dirt. Also, everytime I've put a stick/branch in, it's molded.....

Member Comment

8/31/2008 12:00:41 PM

aaron

>> impetuousness of youth
C'mon, that's a Simpsons Quote!

Sensei, can I go to the bathroom?
You can, if you believe you can.

I've had mold on branches with wood branches, but only after a week or so. The trick is to raise the humidity, which is basically just to increase water in the cage, and decrease airflow (increase pressure).

Author Comment

8/31/2008 12:09:34 PM

Katie M

Lol... Doh! Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try

Member Comment

8/31/2008 1:27:10 PM

FyreFocks

Use the branch with a towel like Aaron suggested. By the time it molds, the eco earth should be dry and you can go back to your normal routine. Mist the walls of the enclosure in the mean time. A little plastic wrap over the lid and the humidity will stay high without having to wet the substrate.

p.s. Im just throwing that out there. Ive never had to deal with mites. Not in my home anyway.

Accepted Answer

8/31/2008 4:20:11 PM

ap1fun

I might be wrong, but isn't the bigger question P.A.M and its effects on the Brazilian? I'd recommend following all the instructions on the can (which shouldn't have to be mentioned, its common sense.) Then lightly mist the cage with P.A.M and leave it in your garage, or outside un covered to dry. Water doesn't cause P.A.M to become more harmful than it is after dried. My carpets need high humidity too and one doesn't bother to perch anymore and she's fine on it. She eats meals that have hit the ground and is still doing great. I don't see any problems using it.
On the subject of humidty, a Pathos (sp?) plant or Devils Ivy are great. Use organic potting soil and frog moss and it works magic. It's a slow growing, low light plant.

Member Comment

8/31/2008 9:06:55 PM

noahsboasandreptiles

I prefer to aggresively attack and be proactive. If you think you might have mites, throw away the bedding. I also have used for many years, the Equate bedding spray found at Walmart. Same active ingredients as PAM, for $10 less. I soak the snake in a tub with the lid on for 10 minutes in warm water with a few drops of regular dish soap. Then I quarantine evything! Cages, and all caging "furniture" gets a good dose of the bedding spray. Hope this helps.

Author Comment

9/1/2008 2:24:40 AM

Katie M

Thanks ap1fun! With the move coming up, I want to get everything taken care of once and for all, just all done!!

Member Comment

9/2/2008 8:12:45 PM

MegF

I've used PAM safely on my amazon and had no trouble whatsoever. I just sprayed the cage, allowed it to dry and then went about my normal care. It didn't cause a problem at all. Mites gone.

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