viv problem!

[flyingsqueak]

Today I noticed something in my viv that has me more than a little worried. They're these tiny white bug-type things! I only saw them on the base of the stick where it touches the eco-earth/moss mixture. In the picture they just look like dots, and that is what they look like, but they also move around (not quickly). I took the stick out and put it straight into the oven just in case they're something harmful, but there has to be more of them in the substrate that I just don't see. Should I be worried? Do I need to dump out this viv, scrub the plants and start over?

(oh, there's a gargoyle gecko and some red wigglers in there)

Please, I'm in a bit of a panic and could use some help.


white bugs by flyingsqueak, on Flickr

[Mink]

do they jump when you approach them?
or are they attaching to your gecko?

the first case theyre most likely springtails and benificial
the second theyre mites and need to be removed

[flyingsqueak]

Thanks.
They don't do either. They just crawl around really slowly and are nowhere near my gecko. Any other ideas?

[flyingsqueak]

So with further research I'm guessing they're white mites--which usually leave animals alone, but could be a problem if they are numerous enough.

Related question; if I go ahead and CO2 the tank, will all the dead red wigglers cause future problems? There are about 50 worms in there. Would isopods be a better poop-eating bug choice that will also eat all the dead worms?

[Mink]

The decay shouldn't be too big a problem and I would indeed reseed with isopod
Ds