Detecting/Preventing Mites

Andyman

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
77
Whats the best way that you guys have found to detect and Prevent Mites from appearing in the tank, If mites are visible is it a good idea to clean the tank out to get rid of them?
 

CorsePerVita

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Messages
94
Whats the best way that you guys have found to detect and Prevent Mites from appearing in the tank, If mites are visible is it a good idea to clean the tank out to get rid of them?
I was told by many members to "bake" or "cook" the soil. Either put it in an oven or in the microwave for 15 minutes to kill any foreign "nuisances" that could cause harm to your scorpion.
 

Andyman

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
77
...

I dont buy bags of soil or whatnot, its those dried blocks of cocoa husk or something that you let soak into water etc...
 

Steven Valys

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
331
not all mites are bad. The most common mites seen are eating left over food scraps, decaying plant material, and poo. Unless they are causing your animal stress, no need to do anything.
The only way to prevent mites from spreading is to have the cage bone dry. If you already have them, which you most likely do, throw in some isopods. They'll eat all leftovers and mites/mite eggs.
 

magikscorps

Arachnoknight
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 29, 2007
Messages
173
Clean.........................Clean................................Clean........dont leave dead matter in you tanks........................:D
 

Andyman

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
77
....

Ok, will do....sounds like cleaning old debrit is a great way to prevent them. Is it possible to get mites from using the Dried blocks of cocoa fibres? or way more likely when buying bagged soil.
 

Nich

Curator of glass boxes
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
836
If you feeed crickets you will have some sort of mite in any enclosure that has a water dish, it is not avoidable. You keep them in check by keeping your tanks free of leftovers.
 

bugster

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
133
Terrestrial Isopods

Get some pillbugs (aka sowbugs) (terrestrial isopods) from online sellers or just from under some logs/rocks in the woods. they coexist fine with your Ts or whatever (Ts don't usually eat them) and the sowbugs eat up the debris/boluses, leftovers and cut down on stuff for the mites to feed on. Kinda like natural vacuum cleaners for your tank.
 
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