Substrate

Question
I have two corn snakes, both are very healthy, eat regularaly, are active, attentive and over all seem pretty happy.  Ive had them sense they hatched, and they are now both 5 years old.
i clean the cage when they are taken out for feeding every week (while they finish swallowing), and as i was doing such i noticed tiny bugs in the substrate.  It is a kinda chunky cyprus mulch that im using, and they have always used.  I checked the snakes very closely and there are no signs what so ever of mites or anything of the like.  The tiny bugs honestly dont look much like mites at all.  They are only down at the bottom of the cage and seem to be breaking down the much into a really fine dirt.  Because the only place i find them are on these tiny piles under the substrate, of very fine dark (healthy looking!) soil.  I suppose im a tad paranoid about mites and all, but im not able to find any information on what these little guys might be.  

I looked to see if they might be gnats, but weeks pass by and there are no flying insects inside, and i never see any of the tiny little bugs (slightly bigger than a pin head) ontop of the mulch.  They dont seem to like light and they scatter when their little under mulch dirt pile is disturbed.  

So i suppose to sum it all up, what might these little buggies be and should i worry about them?

If they are just munching down on the dirt i dont mind them.

Thanks for the Help and i hope the question was clear enough : )

Answer
Hi Taylor,

without seeing a good picture i cant really tell you what they are. if they have appeared as a one off thoroughly clean the tank with a disinfectant and use some fresh substrate. if not it might be worth changing substrate. orchid bark is my preferred substrate.

although they may be harmless its not really worth the risk. it is possible that they may just be feeding off the mulch but they may also bite your animal which can lead to all sorts of problems such as infections.

at the end of the day, if you cant see any living on your snakes theres probably no need to worry so ill leave the decision down to you.

i hope this helps,

Andy