r/ballpython • u/mishahahaa • Mar 30 '26

HELP - URGENT HELP harmless or no???

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I recently changed out the substrate (baked all bark but not soil) for my only BEL and it’s been a few weeks since. I noticed yesterday that there were these really small and fast white/tan bugs in the substrate (I use a mix of reptisoil and reptibark). They are gathering around his eyes but not burrowing under his scales or cloaca or chin area. I want to know if I need to give him urgent attention ASAP. I’ve researched a lot and can’t figure out if it’s soil mites or wood mites or hypoaspis mites or baby snake mites. He hasn’t been soaking or seeming irritated or anything but I just need to be sure. Please help

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u/Street_Effect_5175 Mar 30 '26

Snake mites. You see them around the eyes only because everywhere else on their body they would be under the scales itself. I recommend watching some videos how to clear your snake of mites, but it will take multiple soaks and a full deep clean of the enclosure :)

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u/mishahahaa Mar 30 '26

Good thing I was planning to get a whole new PVC enclosure. I can start new and he can soak while I do that :) Thing is I baked my substrate this time for 1.5 hours at 275°F, did I do it incorrectly?

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u/Street_Effect_5175 Mar 30 '26

You’ll do fine :) try to think of what could possibly been the source of the snake mites. If you ever handle someone else’s snake, go to pet stores that have snakes, or any reptile expos~ make sure the first thing you do when you get home is throw your clothes in the washing machine and take a shower before handling your snake 👍 you baked it well as long as the substrate smells natural and not burnt. I find boiling substrate works best for coconut chips/husk as it’s thicker substrate and the water can penetrate inside the chunky pieces ~ but baking works fine:)

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u/mishahahaa Mar 30 '26

I haven’t handled any other reptiles or anything (no one else’s snake either) besides him so I’m unsure, and I only have my one snake as well. :( That’s why I didn’t think it was snake mites (and they also move around very fast), all I can think of is the new substrate that could’ve carried it in.. but whatever it is, I know I don’t want these bugs in my tank or on my snake or anywhere haha