Snake mites are a common nuisance for reptile owners. These tiny parasites feed on your pet’s blood, causing discomfort, lethargy, and skin irritation. Getting rid of snake mites can be challenging, but introducing predatory mites is an effective biological control method.
What are Predatory Mites?
Predatory mites are beneficial insects that feast on snake mites, There are a few different species used
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Hypoaspis Miles – These mites live in the soil and emerge to hunt snake mites. They are one of the most common predatory mites used for snake mite control.
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Cheyletus Eruditus – Surface dwellers that actively pursue snake mites on skin and surfaces.
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Neoseiulus Californicus – Excellent hunters that wipe out mites quickly.
Unlike parasites, predatory mites do not harm reptiles. They simply target snake mites, eating eggs, larvae, and adults. Releasing them in your pet’s habitat allows nature to take its course. The predatory mites establish colonies and sustain themselves by feeding on snake mites.
Why Use Predatory Mites?
Predatory mites offer a safe, non-toxic way to eliminate snake mites. Here are the main benefits:
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All natural – No need for chemical pesticides on your pet or in their home. This is a huge advantage over traditional snake mite treatments.
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Target pests specifically – They only go after snake mites, not your pet. Predatory mites are an extremely targeted treatment.
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Safe for animals – Predatory mites will not bite, infest, or harm your snake. You can use them worry-free with all reptiles.
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Provide ongoing control – Mites remain in the habitat preventing future outbreaks. They offer long-term snake mite management.
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Easy to use – Simply sprinkle mites into the enclosure. No spraying or handling required. Application is very simple.
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Affordable option – A bottle of predatory mites costs less than mite sprays. Much cheaper than other snake mite solutions.
For pet owners looking to avoid chemicals, predatory mites are the ideal natural solution. They keep working until the snake mites are gone without any effort on your part.
How to Use Predatory Mites
Using predatory mites takes just a few simple steps:
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Remove snake substrate/decor – Thoroughly clean the enclosure to eliminate hiding spots for snake mites. Remove your pet temporarily.
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Apply predatory mites – Sprinkle mites directly into the empty enclosure, targeting corners and crevices. Use the full bottle for optimal results.
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Replace items & return snake – Put freshly washed decor items and new substrate back into the clean enclosure. Return your snake once mites are added.
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Let them work – Over 2-4 weeks, predatory mites will hunt down snake mites. You may see both mites initially. But the predatory mites will soon dominate.
Be sure to provide humidity for the predatory mites to thrive. Keep the enclosure a bit damper than usual. A simple, natural approach leads to a mite-free home.
When to Use Predatory Mites
Applying predatory mites works best as preventative care or at the first signs of a new snake mite infestation. Key times to use them include:
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After acquiring a new snake before introducing to current pets
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Following a deep clean when swapping out all substrate/decor
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At the start of higher mite activity seasons like summer
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If you spot mites on your snake or in the habitat
Catching an infestation early allows predatory mites to get the upper hand before snake mite populations grow too large. Be proactive for best results.
Purchasing Predatory Mites
You can buy live predatory mites from specialty biocontrol retailers online. Prices range from $10-$30 for bottles containing thousands of mites. Here are top options:
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Hypoaspis Miles – Live in substrate to hunt snake mites
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Cheyletus Eruditus – Roam surfaces finding mites
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Neoseiulus Californicus – Ideal for quick mite elimination
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Predator Mix – Contains all above species for maximum impact
Avoid outdated mite products in slow release sachets. Bottles of live mites are most effective. Always check expiration dates before purchasing.
When to Use Other Snake Mite Treatments
While ideal in many cases, predatory mites don’t fix all snake mite problems. Severe infestations require additional treatment such as:
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Sprays – Products with fipronil or ivermectin kill mites on snakes fast.
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Cleaning – Thoroughly disinfect the enclosure and all items inside to eliminate mites.
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Vet visits – If mites persist despite treatment, your vet can provide medication.
You may need to combine predatory mites with spraying, vet appointments, and deep cleans to fully resolve a serious snake mite issue. But in most cases, predatory mites alone will successfully eradicate light to moderate infestations when used properly.
The Benefits of Biological Snake Mite Control
Using predatory mites for snake mite removal is an excellent biological control method. The benefits of this natural approach include:
- Chemical-free pest management
- Safe for pets and owners
- Specifically targets snake mites
- Provides ongoing control
- Easy to apply treatment
- Cost-effective solution
If you want to avoid pesticides and medications, predatory mites are the best way to eliminate snake mites naturally. This targeted treatment removes the blood-sucking pests without harming your pet reptile.
Frequently Asked Questions about Predatory Mites for Snake Mites
What are the best predatory mites for snake mites?
Hypoaspis miles are considered the most effective predatory mite for snake mite control. They live in the substrate and emerge to hunt snake mites where they hide.
How long does it take for predatory mites to work?
You should see a reduction in snake mites within 2-4 weeks after applying predatory mites. They start hunting immediately but it takes some time to fully remove an established infestation.
Are predatory mites safe for my snake?
Yes, predatory mites will not harm reptiles. They only feed on snake mites, not your pet. It is completely safe to use them in a snake habitat.
What if predatory mites don’t fully eliminate my snake mite problem?
You may need to do a deep clean of the enclosure and treat your snake with a medicated spray. Severe infestations often require a multi-pronged approach for full removal.
How often should I release predatory mites?
Most experts recommend applying a new bottle every 2-4 weeks until snake mites are under control. Then use monthly as preventative care.
Stop Snake Mites Naturally
Snake mites don’t have to mean stressful chemical treatments and snake discomfort. The natural predatory mite approach eliminates these parasites safely and effectively.
Simply release beneficial mites into your pet’s enclosure and let them do their job. A bottle of predatory mites is an inexpensive, easy-to-use solution that provides ongoing pest control.
Free your home and your pet’s body of snake mites for good with these tiny helpful hunters. Both you and your snake will be able to relax once predatory mites get rid of those pesky snake mites.
Introducing the Cavalry: Beneficial Insects!
Predatory mites are natural enemies of reptile mites. Fighting Mites with Mites?!
Here are two common choices:
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Hypoaspis Miles:
These tiny, orange mites hunt and consume all stages of the mite life cycle, from eggs to adults. They thrive and are most prolific in slightly damp environments that are under 82.5ºƒ, and can establish a long-term presence in your enclosure. Once they have eradicated the pest mites, they can be sustained by consuming springtails or by cannibalizing their own species.
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Cheyletus Eruditus :
This mite species is a newer biological approach to snake mites, which thrives at higher temperatures and humidity levels that are more in line with captive snakes. These mites also eat all life stages of snake mite and have been found to help control snake mite infestations. Once all snake mites have been eradicated, they will die off.
Want to learn more? Check out this study!
Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that parasitize and kill insect pests, including mites. Steinernema feltiae is a particularly effective species for reptile enclosures. They are applied directly to the substrate and hunt down mite larvae and pupae in the soil, without harming the clean up crew!
Battling Reptile Mites NATURALLY: Beneficial Insects and Nematodes
Mites are tiny parasitic arachnids that feed on your reptiles blood. They can be more than just a nuisance; causing irritation and stress to your reptile, even anemia, blood borne illness, and death in severe cases. Most keepers go right to chemical warfare against these blood sucking pests, and trash the beautiful enclosure they worked so hard to establish in the process.
Thankfully, there are natural ways to combat parasitic mites using the power of beneficial insects and nematodes! Best of all, these beneficial bugs will not harm your reptile!
Before unleashing the good guys, its important to identify the specific mite youre dealing with.
Despite being called “snake mites”, they will prey upon both snakes and lizards. Mites may range from black, to gray, to red, depending on their lifestage and how engorged with blood they are. They tend to cluster around the eyes, in heat pits, under armpits, and around the vent, but they may be present under scales throughout the body.
Snake mites are incredibly sneaky, and they are not always the result of inadequate quarantine or poor husbandry practice. A single female can be carried in on clothing and infest an entire collection through asexual reproduction.