Nematodes - Possible Infection

[Scott Pritchard]

Hi,

Sorry I have not introduced myself properly yet but I have only been a member a short few days. However I have been scouring through all the journals I could lay my hands upon, which is one of the reasons I am now making this thread. I came across an article in one of the older journals (I don't have access to them at this time otherwise I would give a precise reference) about nemotodes and how destructive they can be.

The reason I am saying this is because I have just been taking some pictures of my tarantulas and noticed something strange around the chelicerae of my A. Versicolour. I was wondering whether you could tell me this is just the remains of a cricket it ate yesterday, or the start of an infection of some sort.

Sorry for the rushed post and not introducing myself before hand but I am rather worried and would like to read some replies to this a.s.a.p. Here is a picture of what I think may be the problem - http://i50.tinypic.com/21cgs21.jpg

Many Regards,

Scott Pritchard

[Dan Kennard]

Not nematodes, but it certainly looks like a nasty mite infestation.

[Scott Pritchard]

I cant understand how this infection has happened so quickly. I have not long rehoused her. Any solutions on how to get rid of these?

[Ray Hale]

That certainly is a problem. Its one of the worst cases I have seen.
I would suggest taking an ear bud and put a light smear of vaseline on it. Then carefully touch the mites and they may start coming of. It may take some time and she may not be too keen on letting you but I cant see another solution. You will need to percivere Im afraid.

Hope tis helps.

Ray Hale
BTS

[wayne balcombe]

As Ray has said this is a significant problem that needs immediate response, at the moment the spider is looking generally well exept for the infestation which would indicate this has happened recently and that means a better chance of sorting it out.

i've dealt with mite infestations before and so far have been lucky enough to catch it in time. rather than type out all my experiences with this i'll paste the link to the webpage that has been my bible in surcumstances such as yours.

Take a look at this and please do read it all. http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/mites07.html

Hope you find this helpful.

[Scott Pritchard]

Thank you for all the responses and thank you for that great link Wayne. I have followed what I hope will get rid of the infestation. With regards to the vaseline and ear bud she is far too small to be able to get them off where they currently are. Should they move it may be possible to so I will have to wait for that also.

[Phil Rea]

It seems very damp in that enclosure. You likely need to increase ventilation to avoid a similar situation in future.

If I were you, I would do my best to get rid of those as soon as possible as has been suggested above by Ray, either using a cotton bud, or try and brush them off with a dampened fine artist's paintbrush (or one dipped lightly in vaseline).

That is one heck of an infestation.

[Kurt Baird]

There also looks to be some mushrooms growing on that cork bark.

[Scott Pritchard]

Yer im trying my best at the moment with a ear bud but to no avail. Its not mushrooms on the cork bark either, just a leaf of some sort.

[James Box]

thankfully it isn't nematodes...but just for reference (it's good news)
check out this thread:

http://www.thebts.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=5420

[Scott Pritchard]

Yer thankfully it isn't nemotodes, horrible little beasts that they are haha. I have now got her set up in a new enclosure with dry substrate and a water dish, I also added a piece of lettuce as per the information on the link Wayne provided. I will be able to get my hands on a fine paint brush tomorrow and hopefully reduce the infestation some more.

Thanks alot for your help and if my Versi manages to pull through I have you all to thank.

[Peter Lacey]

In early December I replied to someone experiencing problems with mites and directed him to a thread I'd created on another forum which was edited from Nick Lear's replies to the issues of mites. You might want to have a read of that as its in contrast to what Stanley Schultz suggests but is formed by a zoologist.
I also had the issues of removing mites and created a video on this.
If you wish to read my reply in December check out this post:

http://www.thebts.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=45411&postcount=4

In short, mites aren't too much to worry about, but its often a sign something is wrong in the enclosure although they're usually brought in via the feeder insects. Don't keep it too wet, remove any uneaten food, bolus and fungal growths and provide ventilation. You might want to seek out some tropical woodlice and springtails, I find these greatly reduce the amount of infestations in my humid enclosures.

Good luck