Need help about bugs in vivarium?!?

[matt133k]

Hello,
ive had my corn snake for just under a year now and his 1 this month! I use beach chips for the main bedding and aspen for inside his hides. Now this is the second time this has happened and i noticed when cleaning him out today, and thought id ask on here if anyone has ideas or clues to what they could be, i only notice them under his bedding (mainly under the aspen, but not 100% sure) they are tiny little bugs, must see about 10 at a time, they look like the colour of the bedding, slightly orange. Sont think there mites as ive checked my snake all over on both occasions and also when handling yet no sign of the bugs, and ive spent like 30 mins at a time checking him. Once i notice them under the bedding in his underground cave, he seems to keep away from there, related or not im not sure.

[matt133k]

Wouldn't let me keep typing lol. And anyway, each time i see them i fully clean out the vivarium and disinfect everything, just to be sure. But they still re-appear

[matt133k]

And it did it again! WTF! Once again anyway, any help would be much appreciated, hope they make no difference! But any suggestions will help! Oh and the vivarium is spot cleaned a lot, fully empty and clean about once every 2 months, depending on a few things really, hope you can help!, thanks, Matt.

[kameo37]

I've heard you can bake the substrate before putting it in there. I think it would be at 250 for like 45 min, but I'm jot positive since I haven't had to do that. Maybe switch substrates? I see you are in the UK, do they have aspen bedding there?

[matt133k]

I've heard you can bake the substrate before putting it in there. I think it would be at 250 for like 45 min, but I'm jot positive since I haven't had to do that. Maybe switch substrates? I see you are in the UK, do they have aspen bedding there?

Well i currently use course beech chips (i think ProRep) and i get them in 15KG bags, so there massive and i currently have 3 in stock as i just lost my job and stocked up. I also use aspen (think thats also Lucky Reptile) and i get those in 20Litre bags and i have 3 of those and i use the aspen for his caves and hides. I just cant get my head around what this could possible be, on inspection of the substrate while in original packaging and sealed, i cant see any bugs but i still think it may be from the bedding.

Thanks for the advice about baking the substrate and this very well may work, and willmdefinetly give it a go unless i het told its bad lol, anything would help and im greatful for your responce! Thanks.

[Archimedes]

I'd definitely check your bedding distributer. Pics would be helpful as well if you can get them. Put your snakes on paper towels until you get it sorted out, that way you can keep an eye on them and make sure they aren't getting bitten. Tiny bugs can still eat away at a snake and potentially lay eggs, and if they transmit parasites, your snakes may already be affected. So yes, paper towels is my suggestion.

[matt133k]

I'd definitely check your bedding distributer. Pics would be helpful as well if you can get them. Put your snakes on paper towels until you get it sorted out, that way you can keep an eye on them and make sure they aren't getting bitten. Tiny bugs can still eat away at a snake and potentially lay eggs, and if they transmit parasites, your snakes may already be affected. So yes, paper towels is my suggestion.

Thanks! Ive just emailed the company and fingers crossed they do something about it as it is worrying!, i know it cant have stayed in my vivarium from last time as i used the viv disinfectant and detal spray, dried it all out used viv spray again dried it and then did the same for the decorations, for the wood decor i sprayed it, left it to settle then baked it, washed my snake even tho i haven't seen any on him and properly checked over him, this time i came to a full clean (1 month after) there here again, thanks for the advice and i really hope it works

[BHReptiles]

They are probably wood mites which are harmless to your snake. Mites are species specific so snake mites are bad for the snake. Wood mites are more of a pest, but they aren't harmful at all.

[matt133k]

They are probably wood mites which are harmless to your snake. Mites are species specific so snake mites are bad for the snake. Wood mites are more of a pest, but they aren't harmful at all.

Is there anyway to prevent them or "kill" them off? And do you think its acceptable to have it in my bedding from the supplier?

Thanks, Matt.

[BHReptiles]

I'm not sure. I'm sure something like Prevent-A-Mite or live spray might work, but I'm not sure.

Considering that most bedding is not processed, it doesn't surprise me that there are some small wood mites. I definitely wouldn't fault the supplier unless they advertise bug-free bedding