I'm scared...

[Durban Keeper]

Here's the situation, just brought four small rats home with the intention to feed my balls & olives. All snakes snapped up the pre killed rodents in no time. When they were about half way through their meal I realized my balls were covered in little bugs, I then realized the rats were infested with these. I'm extremely fearful as the snakes ingested a large quantity of these gogo's by the time I had noticed it. I thoroughly checked all the snakes & disinfected the two plastic tubs the balls were in & Intended to do my entire 16 cage wooden display unit as the olives were housed in there. Are these ticks or mites? Do I have reason to be as afraid as I am right now? I'm really scared, please help!

I tried to photograph the critters with my phone, but they are very tiny, the photo's are a closeup of them on kombuis towel from the balls enclosures.




Thanks, Dean.

[Rishaad]

Im so sorry bud. Those look like ticks to me. Maybe soak the animals immediately to try and get rid off the ones that might have attached themselves. I dont think that the ones that were ingested would do any harm as they probably will get digested with the prey item. I know you invested some hard earned cash in these snakes and I can only imagine how you are feeling now but at least you caught this early.

[tJokkie_]

look like ticks DK

seems like you did what could be done in terms of disinfecting etc.

I would go kick the guy in the face who sold you those rats btw

Regards
Chris

[tJokkie_]

Hm on second thought are those not possibly lice that were on the rat...?

Were these fast or slow moving dk? jump around etc?

[Durban Keeper]

Fast moving with no jumping by what I could tell Tjokkie. Redish brown & fast moving flat little things.
Thanks for the reply oaks.

[Mitton]

They might also be the mites that you find on Rats, there are 2 different types and the Rat mites won't survive on Snakes as far as I know. They are more light coloured red than the snake mites that are dark grey to almost black.
I stand to be corrected about this and maybe someone else can give more info.

[Westley Price]

Mittone is right. Mites usually specialize in a specific animal so if mouse mites get onto your snake, there's no reason to worry.

No need to worry DK. Even if you do get an infestation, you have the means and advice to fight it.

[tJokkie_]

Arent these possibly *WeeLuise* ..? (if its weeluise then only external bites would be a problem , (and they like wood..)

Are mites not quite slow moving tho?

[Durban Keeper]

I do hope your right Westley. feeling a little better now, but would still like to know for sure, lets see how things develop. thanks guys.

D

[Rishaad]

Chin up buddy, everything is going to be fine.

[rolandslf]

I'm so sorry to hear about this Dean. I tend to agree with Rishaad here, those look like ticks to me.

Where did you get them, you know a lot of us get food from the same places here. I am not accusing anyone or am not suspicious of anyone.
I have one supplier that I buy from, and will vouch for him anyday.

Best of luck in treating the infestation, I hope your snakes do not suffer any problems.

[Burmbuddy]

Hi man.
Don’t worry, snake mites and rodent mites are not the same thing.
Rodent mites/tics/lice cannot live on snake blood and as such pose no problem to your collection. You can still bathe and disinfect just to be safe.
Just see it as protein enriched food bites....
Cheers
DAN

[Fooble]

I would go kick the guy in the face who sold you those rats btw

Haha!

[Durban Keeper]

Thanks all, especially Burmbuddy. reassuring to know they should be of little or no harm once ingested.

Dean

[BB Gabonica]

Have unfortunately had them on my snakes once. They don't do the snakes any harm but it still made me uneasy knowing they were there.
I sprayed the snakes with Biokill and the things started pegging very quickly, so any usual method for mite elimination will work.
Worry more about them getting onto you...
Little buggers itch!!!
Don't ask how I know...