SNAKE MITES? - REMOVE THEM, FOREVER!

[@musician200X]

That's so interesting. I see mites on snakes like fleas on dogs, and when I volunteered at my local animal shelter, we used Dawn all the time for baths because it kills fleas on contact. That's so interesting that it works on snake mites similarly! Cool video

[@herpaderpz]

It’s works for most small bugs I believe. I use it in a homemade insecticide for my indoor plants and have used it to remove microscopic mites from plant cutting at my job

[@katiemathias4514]

Dawn is amazing. Use it for mealy bugs on plants.

[@mewster1818]

Most insects have exoskeletons that allow them to float in water, Dawn (and other soaps like it) creates a kind of surfactant, or surface tension, that will compromise the exoskeleton and make them sink. Just in case you wanted to know how it worked.

[@Ecc107]

Sb DC bass cad sz¹

[@rocksparadox]

@@mewster1818 You mean '' Dawn (soap) IS a type of surfactant which LOWERS the surface tension so insects will ''break through'' it more easily.'' Most insects float because they are so small and don't break the regular surface tension of water. Soap will not ''compromise the exoskeleton'' (did you just pull that out of your *ss?) , it changes the properties of the water. A metal needle doesn't have an exoskeleton and will also float on water. This is just in case you wanted to hear the correct explanation.

[@lostandlau]

That lil boa in the demonstration was so cute. It was looking up at Kevin like, "Please sir. I has no mites. Please to stop the treatment bath?"

[@nikicarrie4071]

Lol

[@73rn79]

The 14 dislikes are from the mites that survived

[@ljnoahtv2505]

The 14 bred, 28 now lol

[@equiiaddict3055]

@@ljnoahtv2505 31 another month later

[@Pikachew675]

Well 37

[@Tsurgeo]

39, and numbers will continue to rise no matter how many times you try to eradicate them.

[@73rn79]

@@Tsurgeo Dammit six treatments later and now there’s 39 of them

[@kameroncrutcher3028]

How to identify and care for scale rot

[@PTIPPY]

When I was involved in Snake breading for years my Mentor showed me a trick of using Canola oil, you would slather the snake in it, prepare a box with just newspaper or paper towel and keep them in that for a bit. Then rinse in a warm bath over night with a pad. By the morning the snake was happy and mite clear, it worked wonders and from what I was told and could see 100% safe for the snakes. If for some reason they still had some we would either soap bath them or repeat the previous treatment but tbh it wasn't very often we had to do it more than once. Seemed that oil just gooped up the mites and suffocated them super fast, they also would stick to the oil and just come off with some water/soap.

[@mr.pantson1510]

im glad kevin is making these videos he is a wealth of knowledge and very thorough with his explanantions they are a great help thanks and keep it up!!!

[@ReptileTutorials]

Thank you kindly!

[@newenglandreptile1921]

connor drinkwater why thank you for the kind words !

[@taxenkiss8450]

@@newenglandreptile1921 Why are you pretending to be the channel?

[@Ceraphis2626]

We recently bought a ball python from a person and discovered it had mites. Thankfully before putting it in our collection. We kept her far away from the other snakes and began treatments for 3 weeks. Yesterday my wife noticed 3 mites on her which is concerning as she has been within our collection now for about 2 weeks. So naturally we had to replace all our snakes bedding from coco fiber to paper towel, inspect each one, and bath each one. Wish us luck haha..

[@CELERITAS-BONITAS]

Good luck!🙀

[@Ceraphis2626]

@@CELERITAS-BONITAS luck was achieved. No Mites, and she is doing wonderful. :P

[@wheezyvettech8781]

@philly How long did you treat for? Also, did you end up using substrate again? I think that's where the mites came from in my case. I only have one snake and he didn't have them when I got him. I noticed mites after replacing his substrate so I could raise humidity.

[@alexiscummings5256]

@@wheezyvettech8781 where exactly did you get the substrate? Did you just grab stuff from outside? If so, you never do that. Beyond that, reptile substrate should not have notes in it.

[@wheezyvettech8781]

@@alexiscummings5256 from the pet store. It is packaged.

[@Durr8800]

i must say this is by far the best most detailed video on mites ive seen on youtube thank you @NERD

[@newenglandreptile1921]

Matthew Ryckman that’s good to hear. Thank you.

[@dvlexotics2177]

What a great in depth video by a pioneer of our hobby. Absolutely great information here glad to see you putting out these basic care vlogs. They are very useful not just to the beginner but the most experienced keeper. Keep up the great work Kevin.

[@newenglandreptile1921]

DVL Exotics thank you. More to follow !

[@toleth88]

If you have a handheld steamer they are like a death ray for mites, awesome if you have a huge enclosure that won't fit in the shower, great for getting in all those cracks and can be used around the room one carpets etc. Great if you want to avoid chemicals.

[@billsmith1998]

I use a steamer as well. Best way is to quarantine, clean, change all substrates. And then not use soap or other chemicals. I would never use any type of soap

[@thetrader5235]

Bill Smith well it’s harmless

[@thetrader5235]

@Bill Smith so nobody cares what you would do or not

[@kristinaparsons3852]

So you cant use one of those on the actual snake right that would kill it or at least burn it

[@joelpygott7523]

@@thetrader5235 a) depends on the brand of detergent b) shit the actual fuck up, this is what a comment section is for you dribbling spastic

[@sherrybrzeczka7966]

I'm sooo itchy after this!🤣 Great information and delivered in a way that even a non reptile person can inderstand! Thank you!

[@samanthadreiling5699]

Videos like this are awesome! Kevin sharing his knowledge is such a treasure.

[@newenglandreptile1921]

Samantha Dreiling thank you !!!!!!! 😀

[@WikkidVyxen]

This is such important information. I am looking forward to this series. Join Discord, people!! Hit the NERD crew up on all social media too!! This is an exciting time to be able to interact with people you know have been trained by the best!

[@curtatronmaximums5327]

Blue Dawn dish soap the Cure all

[@Saagemusic]

Literally got a blue dawn dish soap ad while I read this comment... weird

[@alice.moonlightx]

He really want you to buy dawn. BUY IT

[@the_macdaddy9609]

I don’t do it for days. But I do give a good soak for about a half hour in soapy water (dawn) I probably go a little deeper than halfway on the body. Then while soaking, I spray down the entire enclosure with prevent a mite and allow it to air dry. After the snake is done soaking, I take a little olive oil and run the oil down the body of the snakes to suffocate any remaining mites and then re introduce the animal to the treated enclosure.

[@NewEnglandReptile]

😎

[@aliward9818]

I just subscribed a few days ago, which I'm ashamed to say honestly. You are so intelligent and go so far in depth into levery topic you choose to cover. I'm over 30 (BARELY) so I won't say I'm binge watching all of your videos, I'll say I'm watching them all sequentially lol

[@newenglandreptile1921]

Ali Ward Haaaaaa Haaaaa don’t be ashamed. Thank you for finally finding us!

[@skyeye8485]

Thank you so much for this tutorial it helped us a lot. We got rid of the mites on our hog island boa, very thankful for the knowledge you share he feels a lot better now and looks great. Best wishes from Sweden. ❤

[@crazycritterlady88]

Thank you for the information! I'm dealing with mites for the first time with a new snake. This is super helpful and makes me feel better about dealing with them. Thank you!

[@Dom10Sage5]

Awesome video, great info. Really liking these videos. Video suggestion, a fairly common ailment that no on enjoys, but keepers all face eventually, whether minor or severe; Respiratory infections. Its generally known that they can get out of control rather quickly if not handled correctly early on, so early signs and symptoms and how to help prevent it getting severe, and when it's time to go to the vet for keepers who have maybe no had much experience with RI .

[@tonysprimitiveanimals8445]

Very good info for snake keepers. Love your channel bro. You and underground are the best. 👍

[@forfun212678]

Very detailed and lots of information. This is the best video covering mites. Amazing job guys

[@newenglandreptile1921]

forfun212678 thank you. We all know we need as much help as possible when it comes to these little pest!

[@stevemunn367]

Hey Kevin great video, would like to see more like this, maybe RI’S -- problem feeders -- proper incubation 👍🏻

[@johnknouse8846]

Would love to see a basic beginner care video for retics.

[@shelleoshelle7252]

Well done! I like the water bath technique! It would be easy to implement as part of quarantine.

[@ItsJoeBull]

5:20 “the animal should sit here comfortably for days” couple seconds later animal freaking out 😂 that was funny I know it’s safe just thought that was funny

[@hololynx7048]

I was literally just thinking the same thing 😂 he's tripping out back there he wants out 😭😭

[@hololynx7048]

Or he's jumping around and playing but idkkk cuz sits just a video 😂

[@DNGJustSnakes]

Awesome vid...Durvet Screw Worm spray for horses and cows found at ranch stores or online is the same as Provent-A-Mite but around $8 and a larger can...used it often when we ran a snake rescue as many rescues come with mites. Use Provent-A-Mite directions....

[@GrapeApe2018]

Any topic you speak of is helpful. Your experience just naturally flows out. I don't think you realize how much info. you share above and beyond the topic you have chosen to do a video on. That organic flow of the extra bits is like having my own personal mentor. Even tho I will get jumped for this question, I would still like your opinion of fair pricing on the different morphs. Ball Python is my primary concern. Thanks for all you do for animals!!!

[@newenglandreptile1921]

Oreocremerocks haaaaaaa my brain just wants to make sure I get it all covered!

[@ReptileTutorials]

Wonderful words!!!!!!! As far as pricing...the most important point is to get a healthy animal that lives.....a cheap snake that has issues is NO BARGAIN!

[@dansreptilesarachnids7782]

Just watched this and the info is top as always with kevin and N.E.R.D. just wanted to add I clean all the joints and corners with a hand steamer. The steam obviously gets into all the joints killing all eggs and mites leaving only the snake to deal with and obviously the lack of harmful chemicals is alot healthier for the rest of my collection which includes tarantula so sprays would definitely kill them off. Hopefully this helps someone out there.

[@reptilianoverlord7277]

Literally the most knowledgeable keeper ive ever come across. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. I agree with another commenter. A video on how to identify and treat scale rot would be great. My chocolate BP has given me a few scares just because her coloration she has a few spots on her belly that have thrown me off and it seems she gains/ loses a spot with every shed

[@davidcallahan4367]

This was awesome Kevin. Thank you. I hear a lot of people talk about quarantining new animals. But I haven't found any good videos or other info detailing that best way to do this. This is something I feel is very important and something I need to improve on. A video on proper quarantine methods would be great.

[@ReptileTutorials]

Got it....... I love all the comments as they give me ideas that I would normally over look!

[@Ibaneddie76]

NERD rules! Who has more reptile knowledge plus the capability to comprehensively explain husbandry without boring the shit out of you? Nobody that's who. By far the best reptile channel on KZbin hands down.

[@Stonelittle_Reptiles]

I would like to see a video about how you do when you get new snakes in your collection and what you do to prevent disease.

[@lydiaeddins2083]

I would to. There was a video posted on another channel where he talked about keeping boas and pythons in separate buildings for that reason. He also said he rarely works with his boas directly himself, to prevent possible spread of disease between the species.

[@ericwrstmorland1070]

Haven't seen a mite since 1998. Had mites devastate my collection back in the day. Great video.

[@cookiemonster6587]

What did you do to get rid of them

[@andywalsh911]

Very good informative video!👍🏻 I'd like to see an in depth monitor care guide or anything monitor related Good work Kevin and Donny!

[@cerridwenscall]

THANK YOU! I realize you don’t care for the YT game Kevin, but this is exactly why I DO watch. Admittedly, I fast forward when the guys are just being straight up silly, but this...THIS is GOLDEN!!!

[@FarenHalven]

I don’t currently have any reptiles, but I would like to own a bearded dragon one day. You probably already have a video buried in the list somewhere, but if not, some bearded dragon care videos would be totally awesome! Thank you for all the wonderful knowledge and for sharing that with all of us!

[@devondejesus9780]

A detailed monitor lizard diet video would be awesome. Spanning from whole prey options, variety, and diet specific needs for certain species and/or specializations of monitors. (Black roughnecks, Niles, Waters, etc.) Keep up the awesome content!

[@TheWorthwhileReptile]

I love this video Kevin! Keep up the good work man. I would like to see a video on taking care of snake eggs.

[@newenglandreptile1921]

Matt Smith we can do that

[@jennifermenth-pavel1260]

As usual another perfect video!! True to form Kevin leaves no stone unturned, is straight forward and to the point with no unnecessary bullshit!!!!! An information oasis in an ocean of ppl making videos more for attention than to educate! Thank you for sharing!

[@newenglandreptile1921]

Jennifer Menth - PaVel great to hear. Thank you for your kind words!

[@ReptileTutorials]

We are trying to get my version of proper information as a resource...no click bait and maybe no great number of views but information that I feel good about!

[@alisha2921]

I really really respect the amount of knowledge Kevin has on not just snakes, but aslo it's food, and mites. I know where to look for professional advice. 🤟

[@ravencollins9192]

I'm glad I saw this video in my recommended feed because I am thinking about getting a snake in the future when I get an apartment but I am super worried about mites and just anxious that I'm going to f up not be able to take care of my snake, so it's reassuring to see that I can use stuff around the house and it's not too complicated to take care of mites.

[@ReptileTutorials]

yes, preventative measures can make a huge difference!!! :)

[@StonedDead1981]

Excellent info. I had a Ball Python many years ago, till I had to give him away when we moved(no pets allowed). Never had mites. I just got one for Christmas only to discover he has mites. This has been a huge problem. Thanks for the vid, I feel confident I can rid him of them now. I know he will feel better now that I can do something effective.

[@cab102361]

It’s a snake spa…still not yearning for a reptile but I love watching you care for them. They are incredible creatures.

[@MM-jf1me]

Really love educational / instructional videos like this one!

[@johnthompson1200]

I’ve seen you get a bad wrap from idiots on KZbin. I’m a pretty good judge of character and your a good guy. I would like to donate or buy something from you. Thanks for all the help. You don’t have to make videos like these. It shows you truest care and have the animals best interest in mind. Please don’t fall into the drama of KZbin just know you have an army of people behind you. We have your back thanks again!!!

[@barbaraann3890]

Thank you for this information we are new parents to a ball python she is a little over a year we were told. We saw mites on her last weekend 😩 now we have started soaking her only a few hours a day. Now I know she will be fine to soak a few days at a time under a heat mat. I was afraid of the water getting too cold over night to keep her. You have been the only one that explained it so clear. A great big thank you! I enjoyed watching and learning.

[@outlie7191]

Hey how’s it going did the mites leave? The mites came back for round 2 ok my bps

[@davidmartin5377]

Really appreciate the info. Jasons video helped with the deep soaking. Thanks for sharing that awesome brain of yours Kevin!

[@boab9794]

The only thing with that is i live in the uk and we have predator mites that eat the snake mites only draw back is trying to distinguish the difference between the mites larvae and predator mite larvae

[@SalmonBoa420]

Best vid for getting rid of mites by far! 🤘🤘

[@newenglandreptile1921]

SalmonBoa420 thank you very much!

[@amandawhite8714]

I know this video is like three years old but ima comment anyway. I’m a new, firstime, corn snake mom, and I wish I had watched this video as soon as I got my snake a week ago. I found a mite on her yesterday and just had to completely take apart her enclosure and give her a treatment bath. Poor thing just got home and wants to settle in and here I am having to disrupt everything. I know it will be good for her in the long run but still. Thanks for this video!

[@montanna2461]

Thank you for this. Im new to snakes and dealing with a small case of mites. You just covered all the bases for me.

[@jericosha2842]

I'm watching all of these vids before I get a snake. Very grateful for this stuff.

[@salmamontero9180]

Its mlr harmfull leabimf them fhere for a couple days ? In the water ?

[@MrDamonster94]

Would love to see more detailed videos on blood pythons and short tails. There are so few videos available. Also cover difference between 3 short tail species, origin natural habitat, morphsand of course husbandry. Looking for a one stop shop video it would be so helpful to novice to the species. I’ve seen your blood videos in the past definitely a huge help.

[@ReptileTutorials]

Points taken!

[@601salsa]

Basically every reptile goes through a quarantine period of 1 to 2 months eg either 1 week of temp regulated soaking at the beginning followed by puppy pads instead of substrate or twice daily soaking if reptile has respiratory illness/spray pad with mite killer (if that doesn't interrupt the cycle I dont know what will). Quarantine enclosures need to be pale in colour for easy identification of mite presence and portable in order to easily freeze or bake to kill off the mites (freezing sounds easier however).

[@alexsigurani7618]

Thank you, I remember as a teenager catching wild speckled King, pilot, Eastern hog nose, and turtles, those whom seem wounded and take them in and care of the animals till they recover then release them.

[@052367]

This video was perfect timing for me, THANK YOU!!

[@newenglandreptile1921]

dale millhollin goooood!!! Kill them !!!!!

[@rosecityroyals895]

Great info as always, love watching these as there is always little tricks that make things even easier, even for more experienced keepers.

[@elartistatv3451]

I appreciate you making this video. Today September 12 of 2023 I received a blood Python from a reputable online dealer and the first thing I realized once I opended the box was the risen scales on my blood. I placed my snake in white tissue and I noticed black little insects all over the tissue and on the snake. I today watched your video and as of right now I’m treating my snake in warm water and dawn dish soap

[@SoupyPuppet]

I don’t know if my infestation is horrible but there is a lot, someone told me just to soak them for 30-60 minutes but since it’s so bad I might do a few days, anyways thanks for the info, this is the best guide I’ve seen so far.

[@patrickandrews7893]

I hear you ask for any future topics to discuss. I have a baby Blue-Eyed-Lucy, "Atticus"--that only hatched during the Summer and I got on Dec. 31, 2020. Since that is a very COLD time of year to get a cold blooded pet, he would sometimes skip feeding for 2-weeks! I've been advised by the pet store to feed him small rat fuzzies instead of mice, because rats have greater density of nutrition and will help him grow faster than just a diet of mice. Anything I asked about can be part of a future video.

[@sweetielea3194]

I just got my first snake, a baby corn about 3 days ago, and today I noticed mites. I have been researching what to do all day hoping to stop them before they get bad. Luckily I was using home-made hides I can throw away, but I have aspen substrate and a stone water bowl. My baby corn is so tiny, that there would barely be any water in a tub for soaking, so I was wondering if that is still the best thing for it? I have seen others talking about using coconut oil to smother the mites, would that be better for such a young snake?

[@DarkDraega]

That boa is absolutely adorable. Has the cutest eyes ever and I just loved the adorably curious little tongue flicks when Kevin’s hand was in the water by it. 3:25 It’s so cute especially CUTE it looked like it was giving cute little puppy eyes 🥺 (like get me outta here camera man! Pwease! Get me outta here and bring me delicious foods! Go now human! The eyes compel you!) I love boas they’re just so dang cute! I always imagine them thinking of humans are their slaves whom are to wait on them hand and foot. Hahaha.

[@quietlyoutspoken420]

What about other kinds of mites that might find their way into an enclosure. I have wood mites in my Savannah enclosure and they don’t seem to bother her often... I sometimes find them crawling on her but never feeding on her blood... would you recommend still treating my animal and enclosure for these mites?

[@karyannfontaine8757]

The last snake I added came to me with mites. I have been bathing the snakes in water and Dawn, cleaning their bins and have eliminated substrate. I use puppy pads, new hydes and rocks. I have been on top of the mite problem and it is helping. I really do not want to subject my snakes to chemicals.

[@kittykat36s]

What I'd like to see in a video! 🐍 Handling! Whens the best time to handle your snake, reptile. Specifically around shedding and feeding. I had a friend who was bit by a snake right after feeding! So I thought this topic may be interesting. Luv you all at NERD! 🐸

[@jaqhass]

A general overlook of equiplent for heating and moisture with focus on exactly what tools would be nice. For example, how would you fasten a heat cable? Some solutions are almost never mentioned anywhere.

[@Littlewings1211]

Kevin please stop saying “mites” you’re making me itch! 😂 I really like these “back to basics” kind of videos because I’ve only recently developed a passion for reptiles and would like to keep them when I am able to properly care for them but often in my research of the animals when I look up the basic husbandry/setup type of videos they’re from years ago and information has changed or developed since then and things like that so up to date “back to basics” videos would be really cool. Great video though apart from the itchy skin feeling 😂

[@matth7856]

This is the best snake video I’ve seen. By far. !!!!!!!

[@richcorbett6491]

Well thanks for the video I enjoy it on my watch many of yours how do you avoid transferring Mites at a reptile show when you go from table to table the sanitizer help prevent that.

[@lindsaya.225]

Would you still recommend this same process for a Emerald Tree Boa? Do I add a perch? After buying him from a reptile show, and not eating for 2 months, we are realizing he is infested. First time dealing with this. And the soak and dawn helps with the mites in the eyes and vents? Thank you!

[@tylerthefarmer2289]

I’d love to see more videos about breeding ball pythons, how to’s for people who would like to get into breeding their own snakes. Steps to take, and tips from Kevin - such an experienced and talented keeper & breeder. Great video! Can’t wait for the next one

[@mainemangreg8140]

Awesome video 👍 you should make a video on tameing defensive or "Aggressive and mean" snakes like boas or carpet pythons or just sakes in general

[@nickyperezz]

Is it ok to use wild found iso pods in reptile enclosures

[@mandynikky1]

Question? If mites can't live without a host including new hatches. Why can't we just remove the snake for a few weeks and let the mites die out? I've never had mites but am curious for bioactive enclosures if you have to clean out the enclosure and start over

[@TheridMegu]

I got a BCI today that seems to have a few mites. Starting treatment immediately :) Wish me luck

[@kearstinnekenerson6676]

I have always pre treated all my snakes for mites before they went into their enclosure I only ever saw mites on one snake I got and after the bath I did before they ever went into the enclosure there was like 4 total but I got it from an expo so I wasn’t too surprised. I didn’t soak as long but I did use the prevent a mite on the paper towel and did really basic setups for the first few months

[@haveagoodtime_h]

great video, thank you! i got a blizzard corn snake, it’s about 3 and half 4 months old now and somehow got mites. i wasn’t sure how to treat him because he’s so small but i will definitely do this !

[@wheezyvettech8781]

Did you end up doing it his way and placing the sensor in the water?

[@christinaserrone7023]

Hi Kevin I'm new to utube, but not reptiles. I recently got back into my keeping of my favorite, one of them anyway. Your mite video couldnld not have come at a better time for me. I'm dealing.ing with a baby Indonesian blue tongued skink just received less than a week ago. I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. I basically applied what you indicated on the video, but will add in the things I didn't do, but as I was not sure I could use soapy water etc. Also, luckily it is set up in it's own enclosure so I am monitoring everything. Thank you. NERD is great. I don't do any social media, but watch all your videos. Thank you again, this was a big help for me.

[@taeviansworldofreptiles3828]

Great video! Every new snake that comes into my house gets a dawn mite soaking treatment for 2-3 days.

[@stephanniemancia6794]

I am doing research for a new snake it's been a year now but I came across this video and I just have to say this helps so much!

[@onlyjuan100]

I love how educational your videos are yet fun

[@melissabooker1708]

how do you get rid of mites from soft furniture like couches and upholstery, etc.??

[@dangreenthumb]

Thanks for the info Kevin ! Keep up the great work for the community to educate themselves! All love bro!

[@xxyy1318]

Drugs are bad.

[@louv4437]

Great video Kevin thanks! Can you give tips on tips to keep humidity up in vision type enclosures? Thanks!

[@ReptileTutorials]

I am putting up snake enclosure videos and there are 3 parts.....keep checking...we just uploaded #1

[@jesserobinson9535]

Great vlog! Teacher Kevin at it again 😂 love your work man. Your Monitors lizards are hands down the most beautiful amazing animal's I've ever seen! I keep Monitors lizards myself I hope the newest little guy I got turns out just as awesome as yours! Its a Nile an he's not bitty but he is a nervous little guy or girl. Any tips for me!?

[@IrondoggReptiles]

Great info and video for anyone even those who have been in the hobby for awhile its a good refreasher as things change over the years Dawn is a great go to in my opinion

[@marcylynne6458]

Love tp se general care for at home pet ball python cage.. goe often clean out what products can you use, best bedding if want substrate, maybe how to keep one going through winter months in New England...?? I use 3 lights off and on also cover the aquarium tank with damp towel on half then other half covered with foil tape... plus I mist it a lot... this may be the first winter she stays up. 😁

[@frankie55ish]

Really found this video useful, thanks!!

[@nicolewolfcry7408]

Okay, so would dish soap method in a enclosure with live plants work or should I just plan to redo the enclosure completely if my snake gets mites? I am doing research, I haven't got my ball yet but will in a few days. I only plan to have 1 snake so I dont have to worry about a collection but I was curious.

[@dalekcat]

i can see it work fine, could try something more natural like green soap, fairly common in organic agriculture when dealing with various parasites, fatty potassium acids aren't overly harmful to plants so worth investigating

[@nayiru5877]

So long as it's either dawn or ivory dish soap you're just fine to spray an enclosure with plants! it's actually a common mixture to spray on plants to kill pests like spider mites or aphids. :)

[@Mockturtlesoup1]

he actually said to take the snake out of the enclosure(meaning where it lives) and put it into a small tub(like the one showed) and do the dish soap thing in that. as for the enclosure the snake was living it, that needs to be completely torn down and treated. the first snake over got(a ball python) had mites. just like he said, i first noticed the little black specs in her water dish, then lookee on the snake itself and saw the mites on her. I went back to where I bought it, and they said, "oh they must have come from the bedding."(yeah, right.) they then sold me(I was hoping I would get it for free, since they sold me a snake with mites, but I'm not really the type to ask for free stuff so I didn't go there) this (I think) "natural" treatment in a purple spray bottle. it did nothing. I go back the next weekend, see the _same guy,_ tell him thestuff he sold me ("mite off" it may have been called?) didn't work. his response? oh yeah, that stuff sucks, use this(hands me a can of provent-a-mite.) I'm like wtf? you sold it to me even though you knew it didn't work? so I also played for that, followed the instructions, and I was amazed at how well it worked. the guy told me all I needed to do was spray down the cage(take out the water and snake first), let the fumes disperse, then put the snake back in. not even to change the substrate(I was using coconut husk bedding), though I highly recommend changing the bedding, especially if you have multiple reptiles. I've never had a mite since. obviously I defer to Kevin's expertise, but I would think cleaning out the cage completely and using provent-a-mite would be significantly less stressful than 5-7 days in a tub of water, but again, I'm obviously no expert. the soap and water thing may also work better(especially if combined with treating the cage with provent-a-mite) for more severe cases, for example if the snake has mites in their nostrils, heat pits, etc.

[@ReptileTutorials]

@@Mockturtlesoup1 :) Wonderful!!!! Keep it up!!!! You helped clarify what I said!

[@freedatatree]

Thank you helping me take care of my grand-snake!

[@juliewatkins1504]

I got a baby snake a couple weeks ago and this is my first time dealing with snake mites and I'm worried about my baby snake and I've been soaking it in dawn soap an warm water I done soaked the tank in hot hot soapy water and need to know how long and to keep soaking. I didn't notice them when I bought the baby snake.

[@jacquelineyork988]

Dawn soap is awesome! Not only does it keep fleas off my Doberman, but now if my snakes ever get mites it takes care of them too!

[@samantharupert5656]

Love you Kevin. Love your establishment, poise, and mission. Shine on you crazy diamond 💎 mmkay.

[@evad6321]

hello my ball python had mites and i watched your video did everything u said and they are now gone. so i just wanted to say thank you so very much

[@andrewderks8338]

Absolutely every video is a wealth of knowledge. Thank you

[@ericcarr1648]

I have a question I hope someone can help me with. I just found mites on my snake and I have live plants in his cage, should I just get rid of the plants or is there something I can do to them to kill the mites?

[@juniortorres4335]

Great video Kevin. I do have a question I am about to do this in a few hours. The only concern I have is on submerging the thermostat probe in the water as I had read in instructions not to do so. Is this a special probe or just any regular probe that comes with thermostats. I wanna make sure I am doing exactly how you do and not electrocute my snake. Any reply would be highly appreciated. Thanks and keep on keeping on.

[@stevenwalker849]

I'm interested on how to give my boas proper exercise. To keep them from being over weight and just have good muscle build. I noticed there isn't much on you tube for that kinda topic.

[@newenglandreptile1921]

Steven Walker interesting ideas.

[@hophopoutdoors]

Dont mean to step on your toes @Nerd but, daily handling for 15 minutes (except for 2 days after eating) and feeding them the proper diet

[@nickkellerman1638]

Steven Walker dont keep it in a tub is a start

[@hannahortiz9616]

Where do the mites come from? I got two ball pythons from an expo a month or two ago. The past week one of those snakes has been sitting in its water dish & I found a mite on it. I didn’t notice anything from when I got these new snakes until it started soaking itself. Has it had mites this whole time? That’s more of a rhetorical question but the other snake I got with it does not appear to have mites. It’s housed in a different room. Should I be concerned about that snake too?