Strange beetle appearance...?

[MaynardsMom]

Hey folks,

First time posting in here, so nice to meet you all and all that.... I just bought a ball python (2 months old) about 2 weeks ago and have yet to have had any problems. However, this morning upon waking and going to pick him up I noticed a weird beetle about 3/4" long...It was white with a few orange tinges to it, and had just appeared in the tank. Is it possible that it may have somehow gotten in with the bark chips I use for substrate? It was all packaged from the pet store, and other than that I can't think of any way for it to have appeared. Any thoughts? Will he somehow harm my boy do you think?

Thanks for the feedback....very confused with the mysterious beetle arrival..
Linz

[lars5277]

It is always a good Idea to bake most substrates for 20-30 min at 250 degrees. I think the time and tempsare right someone else will chime in if I am wrong. The baking is good to eliminate any parasites or bugs that may be in the substrate.

[cassandra]

Welcome to BP.net!

What kind of substrate are you using?

[JLC]

Welcome aboard! I hope you stick around and let us get to know you and your critters.


As for the beetle....was it just one? Or more than one? If it was just one, then I would guess it is possible that it slipped in there from outside the cage at some point. I would remove it and keep an eye on things to see if any others appear. If more show up, then you'll know it's eggs in the substrate. Also, sift through the substrate and see if you see any "worms" which would be the larvae stage of the beetle.

If you DO find signs of infestation, get rid of that bedding, clean out the tank with a bleach solution to hopefully kill off any other eggs that might still be in there, rinse thoroughly, and replace the snake with newspaper substrate. Keep it on paper until you're sure no more buggies are gonna hatch in there.

While I don't think the beetle would be harmful to your snake, the thought of having ANY other critters in there besides my baby would make me highly uncomfortable! Let us know how things go with the mystery beetle!

[MaynardsMom]

Thanks guys...Still not sure about the beetle, but I have sifted through and found nothing, am still keeping an eye on things and not to worry--the beetle was removed upon my discovery of him. Thanks again for your help. I had no idea about baking the substrate but will definitely do it from now on!

Linz

P.S. Will enclose pics as soon as I upload them.. You can all see my handsome boy...

[adizziedoll]

Just outta curiosity... did you get maynard's name from somewhere... like a lead band member's name....... ???

[jotay]

When I used Reptibark I use to find little critters in it all the time because it is not heat treated.
I switched to Nature's Best which is heat treated and haven't had a problem since. They do the baking for you

Welcome aboard, glad to have you!

[jotay]

Your Name from American Pie ????

[MaynardsMom]

Why yes, dizzy, it does..

[frankykeno]

Welcome to the forum, glad you've joined us!