Tiny white bugs in bedding

dmarshall1991

Active Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Messages
181
I noticed today that the cypress mulch in my redfoots enclosure has super tiny little white almost transparent bug things in it. I saw them swarming a piece of uneaten collards while I was spot cleaning. What are these and do I need to be worried?? I don't see any on Jones himself. Just in the humid mulch. If they are bad how do I get rid of them
 

Yellow Turtle01

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Messages
7,710
Location (City and/or State)
OH, USA
Substrate nats :)
They aren't harmful. They like the moist dirt and eating old food/poop o_O I had some too... but I read that pillbugs can help demolish your population, so I added some. And today my russian's coir is bug free! (expect for the pillbugs, they are thriving) :p
You can also bake/boil your mulch every couple weeks to keep them in check.
 

dmarshall1991

Active Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Messages
181
Don't sugar gnats fly?? These are like almost microscopic little mite/lice looking things. But they aren't on the tort at all. Just in the bedding.
 

pfara

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Messages
1,252
Location (City and/or State)
Maryland
Probably springtails. It seems like a common thing in redfoot enclosures; they love moist areas. They're pretty harmless and help decompose all that organic material in there. I've learned that there's just no escaping bugs if you have reptiles or houseplants.. and I have a lot of both :D
 

dmarshall1991

Active Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Messages
181
Probably springtails. It seems like a common thing in redfoot enclosures; they love moist areas. They're pretty harmless and help decompose all that organic material in there. I've learned that there's just no escaping bugs if you have reptiles or houseplants.. and I have a lot of both :D
I just Google springtails. That's exactly what they are :) good as long as they won't harm my Jones boy I'm fine with letting them share lol. Also helps that they help decompose stuff that's cool.
 

New Posts

Top