Reptile & Amphibian Forums

so much for my successful superworm rearing! I noticed zillions of mites all over my super tank. inside, outside, on stuff nearby - I am freaking out. I am washing everything, stuck the supers in the fridge - no, I don't care if they die - but am worried about them getting into Luna's cage. they are no where near her but I have been feeding her supers and wondered if any of them remain in her cage can they be a problem for her??? I have no idea how long they have been here b/c they look like dust. UGH - what a ------- mess. It has been very humid here this past week and I am guessing this had something to do with it.

They are whitish-gray in color., Any experience appreciated and any additional advice for cleaning, too.

thanks
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

It is probably the humidity that is causing the mites. It could also be if you are leaving veggies in your worm container which will cause condensation that is causing it. When I first started keeping large quantities of Supers I had a bad mite infestation and it was because I would leave Carrots and Broccoli in their bedding for longer than the day and keep it sealed. When I'd open the container the plastic walls would be soaked. Once I noticed the mites that one time I just dumped what I had and started over. Also, refrain from keeping the worms outside. Don't know if it might speed up the mites taking over everything but it makes me feel better.

What has worked for me is to put veggies in their bedding over night and leave the top off so that condensation can't accumliate. This is also nice because they will be gutloaded on the bedding and hydrated from the veggies the next day and perfect for max nutrition. Make sure to leave the bedding low enough that they can't climb out because they will and you shouldn't have a problem. I had that one outbreak, adjusted what I was doing to roughly this and have never seen another mite in years. I think there was a question asked about his to Dr. Wells in one of the earlier issues of the E-zine, you might want to check that out to see if there is any extra insight there too.

Good Luck,
Matt

Thanks. I don't keep it covered at all and they are (were!) in deep bedding so never even tried to get out, condensation wasn't a problem. However, I had recently moved them under a shelf with only an inch or two above tank. I think that location and the 80% humidty we had last week was the cause of the explosion. I think in the summer months I won;t keep them int hei room. it was gross.

lele

>>It is probably the humidity that is causing the mites. It could also be if you are leaving veggies in your worm container which will cause condensation that is causing it. When I first started keeping large quantities of Supers I had a bad mite infestation and it was because I would leave Carrots and Broccoli in their bedding for longer than the day and keep it sealed. When I'd open the container the plastic walls would be soaked. Once I noticed the mites that one time I just dumped what I had and started over. Also, refrain from keeping the worms outside. Don't know if it might speed up the mites taking over everything but it makes me feel better.
>>
>>What has worked for me is to put veggies in their bedding over night and leave the top off so that condensation can't accumliate. This is also nice because they will be gutloaded on the bedding and hydrated from the veggies the next day and perfect for max nutrition. Make sure to leave the bedding low enough that they can't climb out because they will and you shouldn't have a problem. I had that one outbreak, adjusted what I was doing to roughly this and have never seen another mite in years. I think there was a question asked about his to Dr. Wells in one of the earlier issues of the E-zine, you might want to check that out to see if there is any extra insight there too.
>>
>>Good Luck,
>> Matt
>>
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (both MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Weird, I've never seen this...boy am I lucky!

yes you are! I have had these supers for a very long time (got them before Luna's hunger strike) with no problem so it never crossed my mind. Mites give me the heebies!
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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia (both MIA
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta