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Thread: Bugs on poop?

  1. #1
    Registered User TayKiren's Avatar
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    Bugs on poop?

    My ball python has been sleeping outside of his hides since yesterday. At first I didn't think anything of it as he does this time to time tucked into corners and such, but today I lifted up his cool hide to find a massive poop....And there were tiny bugs crawling all over it . My stomach dropped, and I immediately took him out to check him over. No bugs. No bugs on his substrate that I can see, either. Just his poop. Could these be mites? Parasites? Or just some bugs that took advantage of the fact that I didn't find his poop right away like I usually do? I haven't thrown it away as I'm not sure if I should. Any advice on what to do forward is appreciated. Should I take his poop to get tested, or is that not worth it at this point?

    Edit: Okay so I just picked up the poop and put it in a baggy and got a better look. The bugs are white.
    Last edited by TayKiren; 04-09-2021 at 07:29 PM.

  2. #2
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Pics sure would be helpful... you mean like wood mites? maggots? tapeworm segments? (You say they're crawling but do they have legs???)
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

  3. #3
    Registered User TayKiren's Avatar
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    Re: Bugs on poop?

    Yes, they have legs. I will try to get a picture. From what I'm reading they look like wood mites, which does ease my mind a bit.

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  4. #4
    Registered User TayKiren's Avatar
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    Re: Bugs on poop?

    Does this work?https://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/6070e5cd...409_163803.mp4

    Sent from my SM-T830 using Tapatalk

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    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    It's amazing what a thirsty wood mite will "drink" isn't it?

    (& no, your pic didn't work for me- but you can search pics to compare your "bugs")
    Last edited by Bogertophis; 04-09-2021 at 07:45 PM.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

  6. #6
    Registered User TayKiren's Avatar
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    Re: Bugs on poop?

    It was a video, as it was a lot easier to see them that way, but here is a screenshot...

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    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Not sure but probably wood mites -assuming you have some kind of wood or wood products in there?
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

  8. #8
    Registered User TayKiren's Avatar
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    Re: Bugs on poop?

    Yes, I use some cypress mulch for the substrate. I will still be ordering some sort of mite spray, but at least it doesn't seem like I have to be worried about my snake.

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  9. #9
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    No, wood mites don't bother snakes- & they live with all sorts of insects in the "real world" too. (You're not talking about using mite spray on these, I hope?) I'd never spray the substrate for mites, just bake it (very low & slow oven), that should kill them off. (Ie. never risk exposing a snake to a toxic substance when a harmless choice will get the job done.) I don't use cypress but I seem to recall many others having this same issue with cypress mulch.
    Last edited by Bogertophis; 04-09-2021 at 08:04 PM.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

  10. #10
    Registered User TayKiren's Avatar
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    Re: Bugs on poop?

    Oh, so Provent a Mite isn't recommended? Is that only for more aggressive mites? Good to know!

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