How obvious are mites?

[DLLNP]

Hey everyone,
I'm wondering if it's obvious when you have a mite infestation?
I recently found 4-5 very small red bugs (I didn't count their legs, so I'm not sure if they are arachnoids...I should have counted..). I have looked everywhere for more evidence of mites inside the enclosure, on the animals, etc... With no luck. I also have observed no strange behaviour such as extended soaking or any soaking at all. It is possible that I have had some of my "clean up crew" from my natural vivs make their way into the snake tub (which has happened before).

Would I be able to tell very easily if I have a more problem?
I'm going to soak one of my boa's for a while to see if anything comes off. If nothing comes off, can i be confident that I don't have mites?

Thanks!

[Minkness]

Well, for one, I don't think snake mites are red. Those are probably wood mites from your substrate. Snake mites are tiny and black. When I had my latest outbreak they were ease to see on my ivory BP, little black spots under her usually pristine white scales. Then my hypo boa was constantly soaking. Then, as I started treating them and their enclosures, I'd notice tje mites crawling on me.

I believe they are all gone now as Amara is back to being pure white, Treasure is no longer soaking, and I haven't seen any on me in a while.

[SWDK]

When I've had mite issues in the past they were easy to spot. They are dark in color and move around pretty quickly. I've noticed them under the snakes vent, on the head near the eyes, nostrils and heat pits on my pythons. The extended soaking is a pretty good sign and you should notice dead ones in the water bowl. You'll also see them migrate to the highest part of the snake that's not submerged in the water.

[DLLNP]

I definitely don't have an clear signs of snake mites then... these things are not dark at all, very light in colour. I will soak my boa today to confirm he has none on his body and that will rule out snake mites.

I found two more in his water this morning, they are definitely some kind of mite, so tiny but have a "mite-like" shape. Are wood mites somewhat common in aspen bedding? My other theory is maybe there were some mammal mites on his prey? But the freezer should have taken care of those... or at least I hope

[SWDK]

You're probably dealing with wood mites. I'm sure they can come in on the aspen bedding. They're harmless to the snakes and only feed on decomposing wood.

[DLLNP]

Thanks SW, I think you are right. I will still clean out his tub and freeze the remainder of my fresh aspen.. apparently that kills the eggs

[Minkness]

Or you cannleave them in there and they will act as a sort of clean up crew for you. =)

[macandchz]

what a great idea to freeze the aspen bedding! i had a problem with some kind of bug in the bedding 2 bags ago. now i'll freeze what i buy in advance.

[DLLNP]

what a great idea to freeze the aspen bedding! i had a problem with some kind of bug in the bedding 2 bags ago. now i'll freeze what i buy in advance.

I can't take credit for that idea... I didn't even realize bugs sometimes come along with bedding! But yes, I think the freezing should work just fine :)

[Andy_G]

The only bugs to worry about with bedding would be snake mites, which would only be present in bedding that's been sitting near an infestation in a pet store. Nothing else will cause harm to your snake and generally speaking (in my opinion), freezing the bedding would be pointless unless it came from a facility that had snake mites present.

[Snakesitter]

This is why I never buy substrate from reptile stores.... ;-) If you do, always store well away from your collection, and either freeze or bake the product before using. (Home garden centers usually sell the same type of bedding in bulk for much less cash...just make sure to check for chemicals.)