Mites and Ticks ???

could someone explain how these two pests apear, if your tank is clean and cleaned out often ( monthly ), and what to look for ? I have a few tiny little flies in the tank, what could they be from ? would you notice right away if your BP has mites or ticks ?
Any info would be Great;
Tman

What kind of substrate are you using? If you arent using paper towels or newspaper, i'd suggest a temp switch to one of those so you can more easily see and little mites or other parasites. Check out this thread: http://www.ball-pythons.net/index.ph...ewtopic&t=4256 for some good links to information on mites.

Ticks are VERY visible, sometimes getting pretty darn big! you'll spot those right off the bat if you're snake has any. They can get in your house in a lot of ways, cracked open windows, under the door..if you see any on your snake DONT just pull them off, the head of these parasites sometimes stays lodged into the snakes body causing problems..a lot of people suggest burning them off.

The flies you see are more than likely fungus gnats the live and lay eggs in damp substrate you can cure this by completely drying out and disenfecting your substrate. The gnats them selves are harmless to you and your snakes but they can get annoying

Thanks for the info on the flies, I will try what you are sudjesting.