Bugs in enclosure

[FigsServant]

I have noticed there are really small, crawling bugs in Figs enclosure now. I did a quick Google search and it's sounding like they might be springtails which I read don't really cause any harm to my tort.
With that being said, how often should I replace all his substrate in his house? It's a quite large enclosure with about 3-4 inches of coconut coir and orchid bark on top so it will be a big project. I've only had him in it for about a month so didn't think I would need to replace it all this soon. Then, I don't even know if that will het rid of the bugs cause I don't know how they got in there since I use all fake plants.
They don't see to be bothering him and didn't know if they could be looked at as part of the ecosystem for him.

 

[Tankertater]

I always add the earth powder to my bedding for bugs/mites.You have to buy the one for pets/digestible.It offers a lot.Thats my own opinion.I bought it at the garden center.

 

[FigsServant]

I always add the earth powder to my bedding for bugs/mites.You have to buy the one for pets/digestible.It offers a lot.Thats my own opinion.I bought it at the garden center.

Could you post a picture of it? You just place it at the bottom of the enclosure under the substrate?

 

[FigsServant]

I always add the earth powder to my bedding for bugs/mites.You have to buy the one for pets/digestible.It offers a lot.Thats my own opinion.I bought it at the garden center.

Also thinking... could I safely use diamatacious earth in his enclosure?

 

[_The_Beast_]

I have noticed there are really small, crawling bugs in Figs enclosure now. I did a quick Google search and it's sounding like they might be springtails which I read don't really cause any harm to my tort.
With that being said, how often should I replace all his substrate in his house? It's a quite large enclosure with about 3-4 inches of coconut coir and orchid bark on top so it will be a big project. I've only had him in it for about a month so didn't think I would need to replace it all this soon. Then, I don't even know if that will het rid of the bugs cause I don't know how they got in there since I use all fake plants.
They don't see to be bothering him and didn't know if they could be looked at as part of the ecosystem for him.

They are part of the ecosystem and help breakdown food bits and other waste left behind by spot cleaning. Short of regularly removing and baking your substrate, there's not much that can be done.

In terms of changing substrate, I do about every six months. With good spot cleaning you can do it even less - I like to do it regularly for peace of mind or if I run into issues with mould or odour. My Russian sometimes buried their poop as a result of their digging activities, which can make successful spot cleaning challenging at times

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I wouldn’t worry about them and let them be! It’s good to create a natural eco system

 

[Ink]

Also thinking... could I safely use diamatacious earth in his enclosure?
[/QUOT

Maybe the food grade but wait for an expert. I would just leave them alone and spot clean.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Also thinking... could I safely use diamatacious earth in his enclosure?

It's not harmful for tortoise unless you seriously overdo it. But it's totally useless when wet.

Springtails mostly feed on mold and rotting organic matter. It's better to let them be. Their population can peak in 2-3 weeks but as soon as they eat everything they consider edible, they will naturally die off. Also, booming springtails can indicate that substrate is too damp.

 

[LNJ]

I have springtails and powder blue isopods in mine. I have to keep adding springtails from my cultures every couple of weeks or so cause they tend to not multiply as much as my isopods. Maybe the isopods do such a good job at cleaning that they don’t leave enough rotting matter for the springtails.
But both often congregate in the same moist area under the water dish when the lights are on.