IMO it takes too long and gives the mites time to travel and lay eggs makeing the probability of re-infestation greater..Why freeze them out? Why not just clean out the leftovers and let the enclosures dry out?
That's understandable. Only issue with the freezer method, some folks may not have access to a freezer big enough for some enclosures.IMO it takes too long and gives the mites time to travel and lay eggs makeing the probability of re-infestation greater..
Very good point and I agree that letting the enclosure dry out will work..That's understandable. Only issue with the freezer method, some folks may not have access to a freezer big enough for some enclosures
I've read they eat the mite eggs. I'd have to find that source again. It's been several years. I'm not sure if they eat the mites.Very good point and I agree that letting the enclosure dry out will work..
Now this is something I have gotten mixed answers on before.. Will isopods eat mites or do they just eat left over bolus and other decaying matter like poop?
Thermite.This is the most efficient way to kill mites that I know of if anyone else wishes to share there methods feel free..
Yea I have heard they will eat the eggs myself..I've read they eat the mite eggs. I'd have to find that source again. It's been several years. I'm not sure if they eat the mites.
Fresh out used it all on the ex-wife and the lawyer..Thermite.
Yea I have heard they will eat the eggs myself..
Sounds good man!I'll tell you what. I'll be ordering some isopods here soon. To add to my enclosures. I'll let you know if they eat mites or not.
I thought springtails were beneficial? Sort of a mini-clean up crew?Freezing out some sort of invasive pest like mites/springtails?
They definitely are. I've only had positive experiences with them. I have heard that they can get out of hand though, not sure how accurate that is. I'm sure it also depends on what species of springtail you're dealing with.I thought springtails were beneficial? Sort of a mini-clean up crew?
Oh, good! I was getting worried, i just released some in my E.murinus' enclosure to deal with leftovers, since it is a damp living burrowerThey definitely are. I've only had positive experiences with them. I have heard that they can get out of hand though, not sure how accurate that is. I'm sure it also depends on what species of springtail you're dealing with.
I just did the same in my P. metallica's enclosure! I was fortunate enough to have a colony spontaneously pop up in my G. pulchra's enclosure, so I'm making the most out of it. They're very easy to manage IME. Since they spend most of their time around the water dish, all I need to do is change the water regularly to keep the population under control. It's pretty cool to see their numbers ebb and flow even over the course of a week.Oh, good! I was getting worried, i just released some in my E.murinus' enclosure to deal with leftovers, since it is a damp living burrower
They also come in handy when my B.smithi toppled her waterdish. Again. And again. Or for my B.albopilosum MM who apparently thinks the substrate beneath his waterdish is the way out of his enclosure...I just did the same in my P. metallica's enclosure! I was fortunate enough to have a colony spontaneously pop up in my G. pulchra's enclosure, so I'm making the most out of it. They're very easy to manage IME. Since they spend most of their time around the water dish, all I need to do is change the water regularly to keep the population under control. It's pretty cool to see their numbers ebb and flow even over the course of a week.