Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a small colony of Madagascar Hissing Roaches. I started with ONE pregnant female now there are around 100 and I have seen several females with protruding larva sacks (or whatever you call it). The colony seems to have been over run with tiny parasites of some kind. The roaches have these tiny bugs crawling all over them, how do I get rid of these things without harming the roaches?

Thanks,
Shaun

If you provide a picture or better description of the "bugs", then someone may be able to help you & your roaches with the problem.

i thought it might have been a common thing that people would have known about. I'll get some pics tonight.
Thanks,
Shaun

The "bugs" may be mites(arachnids) that are commensal with hissers & feed on particles left over...or they may be grain mites which may be due to not cleaning out old food/grain & keeping the roaches' environment too humid.

Grain mites tend to get on everything & look like little white specks that move slowly. Decrease humidity, get rid of excess food-whether dry or fresh foods. You may have to wash out the caging with dish detergent & warm water; rinse thoroughly & dry. Use new egg crating or bake the old stuff to kill off the mites & eggs.

Again, a picture goes far in helping to ID the "bug".