Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I,ve used a mix of tropical peat and vermiculite(about 2-3" deep) with Spagnent moss for cover in my Pacmans tank, but I,ve noticed some very small(-1mm) white bugs roaming around on the peat, top of the water and also the glass of the tank, any ideas? Should I be worried? Many thanks

I don't think vermeculite is safe for amphibians. It's used to incubate reptile eggs. I think the white things may be springtails. Harmless bugs used as food for dart frogs.
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P. sauvagei

If so - I get em in my gulf coast toad's soil & live plants terrarium when it's a little wetter than it probably should be. If they're the same thing, they're pretty much harmless, although they may annoy your frog. You might switch everything out, wash & wipe the tank, & then put in all new clean substrate. I don't keep that kind of frog but they need wet enclosures right? So the white bugs might come back - I just try to keep my soil not so wet. Dunno if you can do that with your species.

I've heard, but can't confirm, that if you put a slice of banana in the tank, all the little white bugs will swarm onto it & then you can pitch it outside or flush it down the toilet. They love banana (I'm told) & I guess you could do this until they're mostly gone. Dunno if it works, but I doubt it'd hurt your frog to try it.
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~kimhotep

Thanks for the help, must admit I do keep the soil quite wet and the humidity is between 70-90, they don't seem to bother him so I'll just see how it goes....as regards the vermiculite it does say can be used for frogs, although I,ve only used it to mix with the first 1-1/2" of the peat mix, do you think this will be safe?

They may also be a bug called psocids(sp?). Which are not harmful to your frog. They feed on decaying matter such as "poo" and dead crickets.