oh o...Just noticed

asphyxia · 01-08-03, 09:59 PM

As i was watching asphyxia eat i noticed a tiny white bug run fast across her head, then one on the rat upon further inspection I noticed a fruit fly in the tank, so what is my next step.

Also, what does a snake mite look like, the last time this happend to me it was some kind of wood mite, she has some drift wood in her tank (I did bleatch it)

Thanks

paul_le_snake · 01-08-03, 10:07 PM

although it sounds like a wood mite (snake mites don't run fast) it can be annoying to the snake. snake mites are usually a dark brown and are normally seen around the eyes and nostril area. wood mites can come in from most wood, ie mulch and bark chips. and will breed prolifically if any area is damp, no matter how small an area. where u get the driftwood and other stuff from?
cheers
paul
ps if u can bleach boil and bake!

Edwin · 01-08-03, 10:12 PM

What kind of substrate are you using? I bought mulch before, and I noticed after a few weeks that there were several tiny white bugs, and this was after baking in the oven at 300 deg F for over 1 hour. I was told that these insects are springtails and are harmless to reptiles. Reptile mites look like little black dots about the size of a period [.] or slightly larger [o].

asphyxia · 01-08-03, 10:25 PM

Thank you Paul and Edwin

the wood is just a really old peice of driftwood I had laying around
i did however wash it with bleach and poured boiling water on it

The substrate is that expandable coconut stuff

this thing was about . < that size

there is nothing around her eyes or nostrils but i did see another one on her back.

The wood has been removed, what do you suggest i do next?

Regards
Brian

Linds · 01-09-03, 12:28 AM

Sounds like woodmites. They come hand in hand with natural substrates. They are completely harmless and more or less just annoying to the keeper. If you would like to get rid of them, try baking your natural decor and substrates before using them a 275 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes and they should be gone

Snake mites are dark red/black specks that move slowly around on the snake and accessories. Your best places to spot them are around the head and neck of the snake.

Edwin · 01-09-03, 08:01 AM

Linds is right, they tend to come with natural substrates.

If it really bothers you, get a can of Black Knight and give your terrarium a few quick squirts. That stuff can kill almost any type of insect, and is totally harmless to both you and your reptile. My friend regularly sprays the stuff all over his basement apartment to get rid of bugs.

Hope this helps.

asphyxia · 01-09-03, 09:43 AM

Thanks people,

Not that I do not believe you edwin, however is there any more opinions on
the Black Knight stuff..What is the "active" ingredient in it.

Thanks
Brian

Edwin · 01-09-03, 10:28 AM

Hey brian,

its always good to be skeptical, I am like that too. Check out this link:

http://www.proexotics.com/FAQ_answer..._of_mites.html

asphyxia · 01-09-03, 10:42 AM

Good Stuff Edwin
thanks, I appreciate your time

Brian

Pixie · 01-09-03, 11:54 AM

By curiosity, does anyone think that spraying down a substrate infested with woodmites, or possibly infested, with a diluted solution of Nix would get rid of them?

I'm planning on using cypress mulch in some of my terrariums soon and I was thinking of spraying some nix as a preventative for woodmites.

Does anybody have any ideas if this would work?