Bugs on Newspaper?

andy138 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2009, 11:07 PM

A few days ago, I found a few very small, mite like bugs in the water dish and on the newspaper I use for substrate. They don't appear to be the typical snake mite (there are none on the snake) and I don't use wood substrate, so I'm not sure they are wood mites. They are small but visible, lighter in color and larger than the traditional snake mite. Nothing has changed in my setup in over 6 months. Any ideas of what they are/where they came from? I'm going to give everything a nix treatment regardless, but just wondering if anyone has any info on these insects.

kjhowland · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2009, 11:45 PM

springtails?

Icicle · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 12:05 AM

Can not help with out a picture of them, Sorry.

andy138 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 12:11 AM

could very well be, it has been quite humid here in CT the past few weeks. Should I do anything about them?

andy138 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 12:23 AM

I'd love to post a pic, but they are too small for an average digital camera and I don't have a microscope with camera. Also finding one to photograph would be tough, I've only seen 5-6.

Just wondering if I should go through an entire mite treatment and if it would do any good. After some googling they do look like springtails.

angrybananapeel · #6 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 12:52 AM

Whether or not you kill them or not is up to you... but I prefer to stay away from any chemical treatments when they aren't necessary. If they aren't snake mites, and aren't a danger to your snake, your other pets, your house or yourself/family, then why expose your snake to potentially adverse chemicals?
Again, I don't know what the bugs are, and I'm not big on advising people on correct or incorrect courses of action if they aren't cut-and-dry, so take it with a grain of salt. Just remember that chemical treatments do have potential hazards associated them as well. That is my opinion on the matter.

andy138 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 02:07 AM

Fair enough, I think what I will do it give it a week or so. By then I should know for certain if they are snake mites or something else growing in colony size and potentially harmful. If it happens to be a springtail here or there (what I'm hoping) I'm not going to worry much.

I'm with you on the chemicals, the fewer the better.

angrybananapeel · #8 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy138

I'm with you on the chemicals, the fewer the better.

Just to be clear, for what it's worth, I've used them to kill mites before. They do have their place, I just see them being used/recommended more liberally than I'd use 'em...

andy138 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 02:52 AM

Oh sure I agree, if they were to escalate, I would get rid of them by chemical means. I just don't want to go through the whole process along with the risk that chemicals introduce (although it may be small) if there is no need.

Adrya · #10 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 10:17 PM

Do the insects jump when you poke at them or whatever? Are they rather elongate?

They could be springtails... or just some little insects that like to eat paper. They won't harm your snake.

andy138 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 10:36 PM

Thanks for all the input.

After some research I think they are springtails, its been a bit more humid than usual and from what I understand they like that.

I haven't seen any recently, and the snake seems very healthy so, if it aint broke...

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