Sources of Wood Mites?

[captainjack0000]

We had an outbreak of woodmites back in late March. So we cleaned each tank, scrubbed, bleached, and baked what we could, and thought we had nixed the little bugs. But alas, no, they came back late June, but only on our BP's tank. So of course, the day I noticed them, I did a complete tank clean.

Again today I found an outbreak, crawling all over the BPs piece of slate and on the underside of her water dish. The corns each had literally only 1 or 2 under their water dishes, but not like the BP had.

We first thought they were coming in on live food, so totally stopped that, weeks ago. But now this? We're cleaning the BP tank as I write this, and hoping the 1 or 2 found in the corns isn't enough to create a population bomb.

Where the heck do they come from?
I don't think it is the bedding because they'll show up well after new bedding.
I'm sure it isn't live food as we haven't used those since the end of June.

Could it just be because we live in Florida and they get into the apartment?
I never, ever! had wood mites during the years I kept snakes in Indiana.

Gah, I hate the little buggers...

[The Serpent Merchant]

They might just be coming in from outside... what part of florida do you live in? I've never had any issues here in Florida, but I have only lived in the Tampa Bay area and Orlando. (never in the more rural parts)

Do you have any other pets such as a dog/cat that could be bringing them in?

Is it possible that there might have been a few survivors from before that have been dormant until recently?

[captainjack0000]

I'm in Gainesville, not exactly rural, but not exactly downtown. My wife and I do enjoy a good hike to rural parts, like Payne's Prairie or Longleaf Flatwoods. I suppose they could ride in on us, just like those nasty tiny ticks. We've had more than one occasion where we find those later than we'd like (that is, after the initial tick check when we get back into the car).

Eww, its just gross thinking I might be the vector....