bugs from repti bark?

I switched my snakes from newspaper to repti bark and today I was doing some cleaning and started to notice bugs around my snakes. Not alot but just a few crawling around. These do not seem like mites but they are really small. Has anyone had this problem before with repti bark and how worried should I be at this point. Im thinking of switching them back to paper soon. Let me know what you guys think thanks.

I see no one has posted, and honestly I don't know how much help I'll be. I HAVE heard of little wood bugs coming in on substrate before, and from what I've read in the past they are harmless to your snake. I'd make sure they are not mites and clean them out anyways if I were you though....good luck! I hope someone else can post and help you out more.

Here's a thread I found by typing "wood bugs" into the search option:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ight=wood+bugs

I'm not sure what kind of bugs they could be, but if they're not on your snakes like mites or ticks I'd guess spring tails. I also use bark but before I put it into the cages I soak it in boiling water and the rinse an drain it, this makes sure that it is sterilized and free of bugs, plus it rinsed off any dust and fine splinters. This is also why I prefer bark to other substrates.

I to use reptibark and always microwave it for a few minutes :) keeps it dry and kills all the bugs that may be in there.
But wouldn't suggest to do it with youre kitchen microwave, we got a spare one in our garage wich i use :)

But as long as the bugs aren't on your snakes i wouldn't be to worried, just try to get rid of them when u see them...

Definitely rule out mites. I have had plenty of good experiences with reptibark, but I've also gotten snake mites from it as well.

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Originally Posted by newport

I switched my snakes from newspaper to repti bark and today I was doing some cleaning and started to notice bugs around my snakes. Not alot but just a few crawling around. These do not seem like mites but they are really small. Has anyone had this problem before with repti bark and how worried should I be at this point. Im thinking of switching them back to paper soon. Let me know what you guys think thanks.

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I have read read some reviews that say that they bought reptibark and it was infested with mites. I bought it but I heat treated it first in the oven at 200 degrees for 3 hours to kill any possible bugs or anything.

Have you noticed your snake being irritable at all?

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Originally Posted by RebeccasLittleZoo

I have read read some reviews that say that they bought reptibark and it was infested with mites. I bought it but I heat treated it first in the oven at 200 degrees for 3 hours to kill any possible bugs or anything.

Have you noticed your snake being irritable at all?

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Holy Jesus Christ!! This is the mother of resurrections.