Bearded dragons can carry bugs on their skin and in their enclosure, so it’s important to clean their habitat often and get rid of any stragglers. Regularly check your bearded dragon for parasites like ticks and mites, and take steps to prevent and manage infestations if necessary.
What You'll Learn
What Kinds of Bugs Do Bearded Dragons Carry?
Mites, ticks and other bugs can be carried by bearded dragons
Mites
Mites are the most common type of bug bearded dragons can carry. They can live on the skin, nostrils and eyes of the dragon, but they’re usually not harmful. However, they can cause skin irritation and maybe even respiratory problems.
Ticks
Bearded dragons can get ticks, which are an annoying type of bug. Ticks are commonly found on the feet, legs and tail of your dragon. They can cause skin irritation and even spread diseases like salmonella.
Fleas, Lice, and Worms
Mites and ticks aren’t the only pests a bearded dragon can get. Fleas, lice, and worms can also be a problem. These bugs can cause health issues for your dragon, so it’s important to be aware of them and do what you can to prevent and treat infestations.
Signs of Bug Infestations in Bearded Dragons
It’s essential to know what kind of bugs can affect bearded dragons and the signs of an infestation. Itching is usually the major symptom, and it might be accompanied by redness, bumps, or scabs on the skin.
You may observe that your bearded dragon is having some difficulty breathing. This could be a sign of a respiratory infection caused by mites.
Dark spots or bumps can be signs of ticks, so keep an eye out for those.
If you spot any of these signs, it’s essential to act quickly to keep the infestation from getting worse.
How to Prevent and Treat Bug Infestations in Bearded Dragons
Clean Environment
Keeping the enclosure for your bearded dragon clean is the best way to prevent bug infestations. Make sure you clean it up and take away any waste or debris to keep their environment clean and reduce the chances of an infestation.
Healthy Diet
It’s essential to feed your bearded dragon a healthy diet. This way they’ll have a strong immune system and reduce the risk of parasites.
Proper Treatment
If your bearded dragon is dealing with a bug problem, there’s plenty of treatments at your disposal. Common treatments are topical medications, like mite treatments, and oral medications, like antibiotics.
It’s a good idea to chat with your vet ahead of time before treating your bearded dragon with any meds. Your vet will be able to figure out the most effective treatment for your dragon’s particular infection.
Key Points
- Mites, ticks, and other bugs on bearded dragons can cause problems with their health.
- If you know the signs of an infestation, you can take steps to stop and treat it.
Hi! My name is Bryan, I am the “one behind the words” here are BeardieAnswers.com. I believe that providing quality care and nutrition is the best way to ensure the health of your pet. Every beardie is special and deserves the best care and attention. If you have questions about your bearded dragon, please don’t hesitate to ask! View My Full Author Page
