Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I noticed a little tiny bug in my snakes cage the other day and figured it might be a mite. I checked my snake and didn't see anything but I dont wanna take a chance so I figure I will treat him anyway. I heard of a few different methods to treat the snake,one taking him 2 the vet for a shot,some sprays,biostrips and even other insects to eat the mites.

I was looking for a spray that I can use to treat the snake and his enviorment. I really dont want to use a bio-strip and heard there is a new type of spray that kills the mites and is safe to spray even on the snakes head and eyes(where mites like to hang out).You can also spray this stuff on any decorations you have in the snakes cage. I plan to clean his tank with vinegar and water and some of that mite spray. Rinse it off with boiling hot water then spraying the snake before I place him back inside.

My question is...what is the name of the spray? Or does anyone have any suggestions?

*** After doing some research I have seen the word 'Wood Mite' or 'Subtrate Bugs'. Now the bug that I seen was in the subtrate not on my snake or lizard. After moving the subtrate around in my lizard tank I seen a few more of these white/grey bugs. Now from what I have read snake mites are black/red in color and look like moving pepper flakes. I have NOT seen that on my reptiles. So what the hell did I see in the tank? Are these 'wood mites' harmfull to my reptiles? Are they hard to kill? I am gonna clean out all my cages this weekend with vinegar and water along with some mite off or something. Any info helps out.

HELLO I USE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT I FOUND THAT SPRAYS, STRIPES OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF REMEDY WASNT ECONOMICALLY SOUND SO I BOUGHT A HUMIDIFIER AND RAN MY 3 VISION OFF OF IT IT WORKS GREAT AND THEN I WOULD PUT 3 DROPS OF MITE RX TO THE WATER AND IT SOLVED ALL THE PROBLEMS U COULD TRY THIS I THINK THE HUMIDIFIER I USE IS CALLED HOLMES I ALSO RAN PVC PIPE TO THE THREE TANKS ALL TOGETHER I MIGHT HAVE SPENT 50 BUCKS BUT I NO LONGER HAVE ANY BUG PROBLEMS AND WAS 6 YRS AGO
LEE

Thanks a lot Lee. I found out that the little pests in the tank were an insect called springtails,or what others may refer to wood mites! These little insects like to hang around is moist humid areas,much like a lizard cage! I was using repti-bark because it holds in moisture and raises the humidity levels in the enclosure.They feed on decaying plant matter,feces and other organic materials. These little insects pose no threat to the reptiles and are actually a favorite food for baby frogs! They are common in garden mulch,around leaky drains and other damp and humid areas. I found ONE in my snake tank which is fairly close to my lizard tank so he must have made his way over there. I checked my snake for signs of mites and have seen NONE which I am very happy about.

I bought some of Zoomeds mite off and will be cleaning out all my enclosures this weekend. Don't want to take any chances! I am also putting my snake in a spare tank,sealing it up and putting it outside in the afternoon to get the heat in the tank up to 130 degrees. Mites and their eggs can't survive that temp.

I meant I am putting my snake in the spare tank and putting his tank,without the snake,in the sun..lol