Creating starter cultures - will mites ruin them in low numbers?

[antinous]

I’m using some 2oz condiment cups as starter containers for springtails and using some substrate from some old isopod enclosures that contain springtails. However, I noticed in one of them theres 1-2 mites in them, but the springtails outnumber them. I was thinking that the springtails would eventually outcompete them. But was wondering if this is all that it takes to ‘spoil’ the culture? It’s on moist cocofiber if that helps.

Thanks!

 

[Aquarimax]

Many factors can influence whether the mites will outcompete the springtails. If you can really give the springtails an ideal environment, and there are plenty of them to start with, they should outcompete the mites, especially with such small numbers of the latter.