Are Tiny Bugs Crawling in Your Leopard Gecko Tank? Do These

You glance at your gecko’s tank and spot tiny bugs crawling in the substrate or up the glass. Some move fast. Others crawl slow in straight lines. Now you’re wondering—are they dangerous?

Let’s sort this out fast.

First, Don’t Panic

Not every bug in your tank is a problem. Some are actually helpful. But some do need to go—especially if they’re bothering your gecko or came from infested feeders.

To figure out what you’re dealing with, look at:

• How they move
• Where they’re located
• If they’re on your gecko or just in the substrate

Common Bugs You Might See

1. Mites (Bad News)

Mites move slowly and usually follow a straight path. They might look like tiny black or red dots. If you see them crawling on your gecko—especially around the head, neck, or under scales—you’ve got a problem.

What to do:

• Quarantine the gecko if you have other reptiles
• Deep-clean the tank: remove substrate, scrub everything
• Consider a reptile-safe mite treatment
• Wash hands and tools after handling

Mites often come from dirty feeder bins or contaminated substrate. Always inspect what you bring into the enclosure.

2. Springtails (Totally Fine)

Springtails are tiny, white, and bounce around in weird directions. If they’re in the soil and not bothering your gecko, leave them alone.

They actually clean up waste, mold, and leftover food, keeping your tank healthier.

What to do: Nothing. These guys are your cleaning crew.

3. Grain or Soil Mites (Annoying but Usually Harmless)

Grain mites are small, slow, and hang out in damp, warm areas—like feeder insect bins or moist substrate. They reproduce fast if your tank is too humid or dirty.

They don’t harm your gecko, but they can become a mess if left alone.

What to do:

• Dry things out—reduce humidity in the tank
• Clean the feeder bins
• Use paper towel temporarily instead of substrate to reset the tank

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4. Isopods (Pill Bugs, Also Good)

If you see small pill bug-type creatures, these are isopods. They’re great in bioactive tanks. Like springtails, they eat waste and dead matter.

What to do: Let them work. Just don’t overfeed your gecko, or they’ll have too much to snack on and overpopulate.

How To Tell the Difference

Bug Type	Moves Like	Harmful?	Where Found
Mites	Slow, straight crawling	Yes	On gecko or in tank
Springtails	Bounce in random bursts	No	In substrate, glass
Grain Mites	Very small, slow clusters	Mostly No	Damp areas, feeders
Isopods	Crawl like tiny pill bugs	No	Substrate

When To Take Action

• Bugs on your gecko = act now
• Sudden explosion of bugs = deep clean
• Tank smells off or looks moldy = something’s off

If you’re unsure, take a video or photo and ask in a gecko forum—or better, check with a reptile vet.

How To Keep Bugs Under Control

• Don’t overfeed—leftover food feeds the bugs
• Clean poop and shed skin daily
• Quarantine new feeder insects before adding them
• Avoid super damp tanks unless you’re doing bioactive right
• Wash your hands before tank work

Final Word

Not all bugs are bad—but mites are. If you see bugs crawling on your gecko, act fast. If they’re just springtails or isopods hanging out in the soil, relax. They’re actually helping you out.

Stay observant, keep the tank clean, and know what you’re looking at. Your gecko will thank you for it.