parasites on my ball python

[Ham]

Just this night I found a bedbug in my snakes cage, it was full of fresh red blood when i popped it, it makes me worry it had just fed off my ball python, can bedbugs even feed off reptiles?

I plan on getting some Provent-a-mite as soon as possible, but i only found the one bug, if anyone knows whether or not bedbugs can feed off snakes please let me know!

[ballpythonluvr]

I had bed bugs once. I found some of the baby bed bugs in my snake's enclosure. Typically, they do not feed on cold blooded animals. I think one may have just found it's way into your snake's enclosure. I had bites all over myself. I think your snake will be fine and will not get bitten by the bed bugs.

[mykee]

More than likely not a bed bug.
Mite, tick or maybe even a wood mite if you use a wood-based substrate.
A picture would help with a positive ID.

[redstormlax12]

Most parasites are extremely host specific, though there are some exceptions. I dont think a bedbug would go for any reptile, though I could be wrong.

Give your BP a good soak and see if any endo-parasites drown. Also give your BP a good look over. LOOK CAREFULLY. Mites are small, but if you know what your looking for it can be relatively easy. Tics should be easy to spot. They are larger than mites, and are pretty unique. They are flat bodied since they are herp tics.

[Ham]

There will be no pics as I crushed the thing, but I am 99% positive its a bed bug I looked at the thing for 15 minutes straight and compared it to pics and videos online, it was no tick or mite thats for sure, I have seen both of those species of parasite. It was fast and brown had a big swollen butt full of fresh red blood, and when I squeezd it with my tweezers it shot this little needle probiscis out of its mouth. I think it must be from the couch where my dog sleeps as I found no bedbugs in the bedrooms, I checked all the sheets and mattresses thoroughly. I soaked my snake and nothing else came off him, I think the bug had crawled into his tank from the couch area, I will check the cushions tonight for bugs. Thanks for all the replies, I just found it hard to believe a bedbug would feed on a snake as I thought they were attracted to body heat... I will keep you guys posted!

[spencermoseley]

OMG! It is in Snake also!!

[PitOnTheProwl]

6 year old post
OP hasn't been here in 4 years