Sigh.. White Mites?

[Gundy]

Well I've had my BP for quite awhile now and she finally pooped. I went to get her out to feed as normal today and noticed alot of white tiny bugs near the feces and in the substrate. Upon further investigation it looks like some sort of mites. How do I tackle this situation? I've been using Zoomed Repti-Bark and JUST opened a brand new back a week ago and replaced the bedding.

I googled for awhile and saw that I can bake the substrate, logs, and rocks, and take diluted bleach to the entire enclosure.

This seems like the easiest to get rid of them. I had a reptile expert come over and examine the snake, he said she looks fine - no actual mites on her as of yet. He really examined her well, and mentioned the same thing as I found in google, about the bleach and baking everything else at like 300-350 for 30 minutes.

Let me know..

[JASBALLS]

Newspaper works wonders! Ugly But works Great!

[tigerlily]

I've not heard of any white snake mites. They must have come in on your bedding. I'd go with Jas' suggestion of newspaper until you're sure the problem has been resolved.

[MarkS]

Mites are host specific. If they are wood mites or dust mites or something like that, they will not attack your snake. Just clean everything up and throw out your old substrate.

[Gundy]

The more I have been reading I've seen alot mentioned about wood mites. Do I have the option of baking my substrate? I really like the repti-bark because of how well it holds my humidity in check.

I was reading some articles that said wood mites like humid bark type enviroments.. I guess if they don't harm the snake im ok..?

[JASBALLS]

The more I have been reading I've seen alot mentioned about wood mites. Do I have the option of baking my substrate? I really like the repti-bark because of how well it holds my humidity in check.

I was reading some articles that said wood mites like humid bark type enviroments.. I guess if they don't harm the snake im ok..?

I guess your fine, If you like having bugs in your house living with your snakes? I'm sure you can fix it though. Someone that uses that stuff will chime in and help you out! Good luck...

[jglass38]

They are from the reptibark. You can bake the substrate. I personally opt for clean paper. Those are aphids. No harm to the snake but still not something I like hanging around.

[Gundy]

I agree I don't want any bugs living with my snake. I was just asking if they are harmless.

If I bake the substrate will they return? I mean if they are some type of wood bearing bug will they return if the humidity or something spikes?

I noticed ZooMed Repti-Bark is the ONLY bark that IS NOT heat treated before its sold. I was wondering what that mean't the other day at the Local Pet Store. Obviously it said heat treated substrate won't house mites.

[jglass38]

I agree I don't want any bugs living with my snake. I was just asking if they are harmless.

If I bake the substrate will they return? I mean if they are some type of wood bearing bug will they return if the humidity or something spikes?

I noticed ZooMed Repti-Bark is the ONLY bark that IS NOT heat treated before its sold. I was wondering what that mean't the other day at the Local Pet Store. Obviously it said heat treated substrate won't house mites.

Baking it will kill off all the nasties. Seems like a lot to go through each time you change the substrate, no? Best of luck with it!

[SatanicIntention]

If you don't want to spend the money on Repti-Bark, go to Home Depot/Lowe's and look for Orchid Bark(it's used for orchids and other high humidity plants/flowers). It's around $3 for a big bag and I've never found bugs in it.