grain mite infestation i need help/advice

[teeks]

the pipeline is so sad. so i've done the corn starch "bath" for my millipedes pinecone and sugarcone. got them all cleaned up. i also used hot soapy water and let their enclosure sit in it for a bit. i also did the same with the lid. im not seeing any on the bottom where my babies are, but i'm seeing them at the top. i've put the lid in some hot water and soap for another soak. this was incredibly stressful not only for me but both the cones. i'd really like to avoid this. i also have other enclosures near theirs, but they seem unaffected thank god. im new to owning millipedes and i'm trying my best but i need help

 

[Ratmosphere]

Heat treat the substrate, then brush any remaining mites off the millipedes. From here you are able to see the mites, and squish them.

 

[teeks]

Heat treat the substrate, then brush any remaining mites off the millipedes. From here you are able to see the mites, and squish them.

are you sure they came from the substrate though??

 

[Ratmosphere]

It depends where you got it, though I did not imply that they did come from the substrate. They're in the substrate now and the method I mentioned will eradicate them.

 

[teeks]

Heat treat the substrate, then brush any remaining mites off the millipedes. From here you are able to see the mites, and squish them.

sorry that was a dumb question ive been up all night and im struggling how would i go about heat treating the substrate? and at what temps?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Microwave is what I use, might stink your house up a bit. I do a few rounds of 3 minutes each, adding water each time.

Just know this method will most likely kill beneficial microbes in the substrate.

 

[teeks]

okay!! thank you so much these little <edit> are so hard to get rid of. im doing a full hot water/soap soak for their enclosure and im hoping itll kill the rest of them.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Might want to edit the post to block that profanity out, but I feel ya! Mites are annoying.

 

[teeks]

Might want to edit the post to block that profanity out, but I feel ya! Mites are annoying.

are bay leaves toxic to tarantulas? also gotcha.

 

[Ratmosphere]

are bay leaves toxic to tarantulas? also gotcha.

I am not too sure of that, I would ask this question in "tarantula chat" so others could help out.

 

[teeks]

ok!!

I am not too sure of that, I would ask this question in "tarantula chat" so others could help out.

are they toxic to millipedes?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Again, not sure. Perhaps @Elytra and Antenna could chime in.