Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i found these teeny tiny white bugs in the repibark substrate i just put in less than a week ago, are these mites? ive never had a problem with this before, ive kept all my snakes on newspaper and recently put the bark down and now theres bugs, what should i do?
-----
* Snow Cornsnake (tweak)
* Ball Python (cosmo)
* Columbian Boa (kilo)
* Gray Ratsnake

Although snake mites do go through a stage where they are tiny and white, what you are describing are probably something different. I forgot what they are called, but they are often found in wood/bark mulches and are harmless to the snake.

Are they fast moving? Like able to cross an inch in 3 seconds? Mites are sloowww. That is one way to tell. Mites are roundish, where the wood bugs look more elongated.

At any rate, you can wash the substrate to get rid of most of the bugs then dry it in the oven if you want to kill any eggs.

Check your snakes for adult, feeding mites (black and round). If you don't see any crawling around the snakes' eyes, you probably do not have mites. If you do, post back, and we will help.

I think we might be talking about Springtails. They seem to be common with organic substrates. I get them on occasion using aspen. They are not parasites, are easy to control and supposedly benign. They feed on decaying organic material like substrate, feces and pieces of shed skin.
-----
Randy Hallman
Firehouse Herps

"do i have mites?!!!"

I doubt it, and I don't think the snakes do, either.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

phew.... thanks a lot guys. ill try cooking the subsrtate but if it dont work, bugs kinda weird me out so ill go back to newspaper. thanks again. -Dave
-----
* Snow Cornsnake (tweak)
* Ball Python (cosmo)
* Columbian Boa (kilo)
* Gray Ratsnake