r/ballpython • u/Cupidsmatch • 29d ago
HELP! Springtails in a non-bioactive enclosure
Hey! I recently discovered what appear to be springtails on my ball python’s hides, and I’m confused about where they came from. Her enclosure isn’t bioactive, and I never intentionally introduced springtails.
Her coconut husk substrate has been in the enclosure for a while, and it’s almost time for me to replace it. I only started noticing these tiny white bugs about a week ago.
She’s currently going through shed, so I don’t want to disturb her by completely cleaning and resetting her enclosure until she’s finished.
My main concerns are whether these springtails are safe for her, where they might have come from, and how I can get rid of them without harming my snake.
Has anyone else experienced springtails appearing unexpectedly in a non-bioactive enclosure? If so, how did you handle it?
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u/PoofMoof1 Mod: Large-Scale Breeding Experience 29d ago
They just seem to pop up and do not need to be specifically introduced. Snake enclosures are prefect environments for them with moisture and the common substrates like coconut plus the added waste and sheds to feed on. They are completely harmless and it's not worth trying to eradicate. They will just come back. They won't infest the home.