Black bugs in food dish

[MichelleinTexas]

Found critters in my BTS's food bowl. I don't know if they're mites or some other infestation. Hope you guys can ID. Thanks!

[Herpin Man]

Those are springtails. They consume organic matter, such as lizard poop and leftover food. They are beneficial to have in herp enclosures.

[MichelleinTexas]

What a relief! Thanks so much!

[Dx3]

They are springtails and while they’re “good” insects if you didn’t put them there for a bioactive enclosure and they just showed up cause the tank or food bowl wasn’t cleaned isn’t good. If things aren’t properly cleaned it could lead to bacteria forming and other insects appearing like mites.

[splashy07]

Springtails often appear in substrate without being introduced. Any mites harmful to reptiles would have to be introduced, they'd come in on a newly acquired reptile and not just "appear" without the presence of a reptile or old substrate or tank furnishings where a reptile has inhabited. "Substrate mites" as I call them, often called wood mites and springtails can already be in your substrate when you buy it. These types are not pests and will not harm or bother your animal, rather they will help clean up a bit. If you find there are more around than you desire, more frequent substrate changes are in order. Leftover food should be removed daily.

[MichelleinTexas]

Yes, I just had an unintended population explosion. Tank is clean and dried out a bit, so hopefully it will return to normal. Thanks all for your help.