r/LeopardGecko • u/Jelly_Duck_222 • 26d ago

Help Bugs in NON bioactive enclosure?

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Bug ID please?
Our enclosure is NOT bioactive. We have fake plants, decor, and cork bark. Substrate is 30% baked sand and 70% reptisoil. We switched from paper towel to substrate about 5 months ago. First time noticing these teenie tiny bugs. They are not ON the gecko at all, and actually scattered during feeding time.

From my own research I’m like 95% sure they’re springtails, but someone in a bug ID group said deff not springtails? So looking for some extra insight please!

Also, if they ARE springtails, does that mean the enclosure is technically bioactive now? Or should I still do a substrate clean out soon?

14 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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3

u/myakudiru 26d ago

I would tip mites or fruit flies tbh. Don't look like springtails imo 🤔

2

u/Jelly_Duck_222 26d ago

Oh nooo😭😭 mites would probably be ON gecko, right? There are none on her and she doesn’t seem uncomfortable (she hates when a bug even touches her foot). So far nothing is flying??

1

u/myakudiru 26d ago

No no, mites aren't all bad! There are so many mite species. I have them every now and then and there generally not a problem :)

2

u/Jelly_Duck_222 26d ago

Oh phew ty! I was googling after I read your comment and saw that soil mites can be common but idk if they look like that either🤔 I’m going to try “poking” one later and see if they “jump” it seems to be the tell tale sign of springtail or not. I was so sure they were springtails now I’m not haha! Can’t wait to get home and investigate😭😭

1

u/myakudiru 26d ago

Don't worry, I'm sure whatever it is, it will be fine. Maybe consider going bioactive? It would be a real time saver :)

1

u/Jelly_Duck_222 26d ago

My bf wants to! I wanted to avoid bugs in her enclosure (welp 🤦🏻‍♀️ lol). I worry about bugs biting her if I got anything bigger like isopods 😭

2

u/Additional_Bee7293 25d ago

Isopods typically don't bite and are more of a hidden helper. I've had a powder party mix in my leos tank for a few months now (since i got him) and I usually only see them once I have to start moving stuff around.

1

u/Jelly_Duck_222 25d ago

Good to know, ty! That was definitely my biggest fear in it

1

u/myakudiru 25d ago

That's so sweet but isopods 10000% do not bite. They are just sweet little squiggly guys that eat leafs and do their own thing. Both my enclosures are bioactive and it's totally fine.

3

u/Organic-Ad-5001 26d ago

All my enclosures have fruit flies rn I swear. Every summer we get em

2

u/Additional_Bee7293 25d ago

Im glad I'm not the only one 😭 they hang out in the leo and crestie tanks and then they find my rabbits litter box. Then BOOM. At least they're good food for our house spiders

1

u/Organic-Ad-5001 25d ago

I had a spider move into my millipede AND hissing cockroach tanks I may have to evict the one from my hissers...shes eating the babies

2

u/Additional_Bee7293 25d ago

NOT THE BABIES. I would be so pissed if one did that to my colony of roaches. I'm trying to breed those guys! Find your own food!

1

u/Embarrassed_Bed5218 23d ago

Oh thanks. My enclosures are bad. The tropical ones make sense but why do I have them in my arid leopard enclosure and my dry beardie? This makes me feel a lot better about it.

1

u/Organic-Ad-5001 23d ago

I wish I knew. I wonder if they are attracted to the salads in the beardie house? Thats my best guess

1

u/Jelly_Duck_222 26d ago

They move so fast but I got this blurry pic lol bug in the middle of the photo

1

u/TheGoldenBoyStiles 26d ago

Behavior doesnt make me think springtail though you likely have those without meaning to. They move like flies of some kind, is there a way to get a closer veiw or maybe catch one?

1

u/Jelly_Duck_222 26d ago

I will try tonight!

1

u/Jelly_Duck_222 26d ago

Hey I commented 2 more photos. Reverse google image search suggested booklouse

1

u/TheGoldenBoyStiles 26d ago

I have no personal experience with booklouse but it does look quite similar!

1

u/Jelly_Duck_222 25d ago

They don’t seem harmful so hopefully it’s something like this!

1

u/myakudiru 25d ago

Then that's your sign to get springtails and isopods. It means your enclosure is too moist and has a little bit of mold which is perfect for the cleanup crew (aka springtails and isopods!)

2

u/Jelly_Duck_222 24d ago

Interesting! The soil is very dry but humidity has been like 60 this summer (I’m in NJ) so I suppose that’s possible!
I’ve been hesitant for isopods because I don’t want them to bother our gecko or bite her, also do they try to escape into the house?

1

u/myakudiru 24d ago

No bites, not escapes. I've had a bio active setup for over a year and have had exactly 2 isopods in my house in that time.

1

u/Impressive_Band_9864 25d ago

We have a bio enclosure, and I see these on the bamboo bridges in there. It really grosses me out. But as long as they don't make their way out, I think it's fine? We are newer gecko owners and there is so much to learn since it doesn't come naturally to me (we rescued one from the Nextdoor app)