Freezing the nasties...I've got to have the worst luck in the world

[Stylopidae]

I'm having nematode problems. I've already lost one centipede (I'm pretty sure two more have the same problem) and at least two others have mite infestations that I've traced back to crickets.

Unfortunately, my lobster roach colony is nowhere near ready to feed from yet.

So...can I freeze crickets to kill the mites and nematodes and just feed prekilled until my lobster colony matures? I'll be feeding tarantulas, centipedes a chinese mantis and a carolina mantis.

If so, how long?

 

[Mr. Mordax]

Nematodes kill by releasing a symbiotic bacteria in the host -- if they've already begun to release this bacteria in the crickets, I don't think freezing will help much. I'd suggest getting some additional food until your roaches populate (mealworms, perhaps?).

I lost one centipede (S. subspinipes) to what I thought were nematodes. He died in August, but I examined a small portion of flesh from his frozen body under a microscope today and saw what was likely nematodes (unless I can't tell ligaments apart from worms). What were the symptoms of your centipede?

One more note: I'd advise that you bake or autoclave your substrate to kill any remaining worms or eggs, and disinfect your terrariums.

 

[xelda]

So...can I freeze crickets to kill the mites and nematodes and just feed prekilled until my lobster colony matures? I'll be feeding tarantulas, centipedes a chinese mantis and a carolina mantis.

My suggestion is to throw out your cricket culture, thoroughly clean out the container, and buy fresh stock from a different supplier. Where are you located?

Freezing probably wouldn't kill them. Since they do spend part of their life cycle on the ground, they've developed resistance to cold for overwintering. Nematodes are some of the most environmentally resistant parasites out there. Some of the worst ones can survive high acid levels and even formaldehyde.

 

[Arlius]

Surviving cold is much different than surviving freezing. The only living things that can do so are ones with a type of anti-freeze in their 'blood'. Otherwise, ice crystals will form and destroy the cell structure. I don't believe most species of nematodes have any kind of anti-freeze (if any do), same with mites.

 

[xelda]

Nematode eggs are deposited on the surface of the ground, which is usually the part of the ground that freezes over in cold weather. It's the shells of the eggs that are extremely resistant to harsh environmental conditions. If they were that easy to kill off, I doubt nematodes would be as abundant as they are on the planet. You can find them everywhere, including Antarctica.