mites

[Mike Shaw]

Hi,I've just noticed some tiny white thing's with legs in my P.Regalis tank.
They are only in one corner where the substrate is still quite wet.
It would appear that I didn't dry the new soil out quite enough.
So can anyone give me advice on avoiding them in the future?
I microwaved the soil first(thought that would be enough),obviously not.Now I'll have to change the whole viv again.Thanx for any advice Mike.

[Paul Carpenter]

Mites

Hi Mike, We all get these mites in our tanks, they are more than likely House dust mites. You do not have to clean out the tank. Just remove the damp substrate they are living in and any food pellets the spider has discarded. You will not get rid of them as they live naturally in your house anyway. The damp humid conditions we keep some of our spiders in provide a garden of eden for them. So they mulityply very quickly all you can do is control the numbers with good husbandry.

Paul.