good news, but

[Richard Simmonds]

Hi to all, good news my B. smithi is now a little bigger, and is out of her hole and i have a little moult to look at.
BUt.... whilst i was clearing her home, i lifted the water bowl to see some small white mites..? Am i right and what do i do now.
Please help. have removed her from the tank and she is sitting in a small container chewing a cricket, can't see any on her, just in the substrate.

[Neil Ashby]

If it was me mate id empty her tank , clean it out with warm water and do a fresh substrate change !

Ive always used vermiculite and have never had mites , tho i know peat users do seem to get them

[Ray Gabriel]

were they long and thin or round?

The mites we get with spiders are common house mites that are attracted to any dead material no matter what substrate you are using good husbandry and good ventialtion are good ways of keeping mites at bay.

If they are long thin things then dont worry, if they are the round ones then there should be something for them to feed on under the water dish.

Ray

[Richard Simmonds]

Ray,
Thanks for your help, and looking at them i would say they are long and thin, but as they are so small its not that easy to be 100% sure. And looking around more i have seen them all over the substrate, i had some small chippings over the top of the peat, and where the peat is moist there are lots of little mites. Would you throw away and start again.???
fortunately i've a A. Chalcodes coming next week, so i have another set up ready.

[Glen Feasey]

So would mites still be present in vermiculite? This is all i have used and have never ever seen them?

[Neil Ashby]

me neither Glen , i think its because it is inorganic

it doesnt look as nice but id rather that than risk a mite infestation

[Glen Feasey]

Neil, i agree 100% mate!

Also i find vermiculite perfect for humidity. Whats your thoughts?

[Richard Simmonds]

Thats interesting guys,i am only using peat, and a cork mix for the top as that is what i was advised too, i might try Vermiculite in my other set up.

[Glen Feasey]

Richard, i would be happy to compare results! I have always used Vermiculite and never had problems. Or so it wouold seem. i would say i inspect my T's tanks daily and would of noticed a problem by now.

I talk to alot of people who have used peat or even a 50/50 mix and most seem to have had mites at some time? Maybe worth a study on which substrate works best?

[Richard Simmonds]

i agree, and will try both. Will let you know.

[Glen Feasey]

Both my T's are well settled on verm, so i dont want to disturb them. The next purchase will go on a 50/50 split and i will let you know my results as well!

[Michael Olsinia]

Perhaps mites are just harder to see on vermiculite?
Any thoughts?

[Richard Simmonds]

you might be right, but i cant say.

[Neil Ashby]

no , i think its widely known that Vermiculite is better for avoiding mites because , as i said earlier , it is inorganic meaning it contains absolutely no living organisms which certainly cannot be said for peat

Glen .... as for humidity , yes it is superb as it holds several times its own weight in water . i never have a problem with vermiculite in any way

[Glen Feasey]

Me neither, but i will look harder and after 5 years of T owning i'm sure i would have noticed problems by now?