Mites in tarantula enclosure?

[Toxi990]

I found tiny white bugs in my tarantula’s water. Don’t know what they are. Did a quick check, there doesn't seem to be any bugs on my tarantula so I think it’s ok.

There aren’t many of them around the enclosure, but they do creep me out, is there a way to prevent this?

 

[Brewser]

Whatever "They" are...
Drying out the Substrate should help alleviate.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

I found tiny white bugs in my tarantula’s water. Don’t know what they are. Did a quick check, there doesn't seem to be any bugs on my tarantula so I think it’s ok.

There aren’t many of them around the enclosure, but they do creep me out, is there a way to prevent this?

View attachment 477776

Can’t tell do they jump or not?

 

[Toxi990]

Can’t tell do they jump or not?

I don’t think so, haven’t seen any of them jumping

They 'Might' be...
Whatever They are...
Drying out the Substrate should help alleviate.

Thank you, I’ll do that.

 

[Charliemum]

Spring tails are usually elongated, they could be mites , if they bother you that much bin everything, scrub the viv n start again as long as they aren't on the t it should help.
Keep everything as clean as possible remove bolus as soon as your t is done n it should keep populations down. Mites live off rotting stuff so removing food sources will help. But be warned if you do dry out and remove food they can just climb on your t n live there. They don't like dryness and on your t next to the chilicera and abdomen is the perfect way to travel to a more suitable spot (what they would do in the wild) and get free food when your t eats.
Out the 2 options I would bin it all n start again

 

[Toxi990]

Spring tails are usually elongated, they could be mites , if they bother you that much bin everything, scrub the viv n start again as long as they aren't on the t it should help.
Keep everything as clean as possible remove bolus as soon as your t is done n it should keep populations down. Mites live off rotting stuff so removing food sources will help. But be warned if you do dry out and remove food they can just climb on your t n live there. They don't like dryness and on your t next to the chilicera and abdomen is the perfect way to travel to a more suitable spot (what they would do in the wild) and get free food when your t eats.
Out the 2 options I would bin it all n start again

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll do that if the population gets out of hand, just hoping they’re nothing harmful

 

[jennywallace]

You can also clean out the waterbowl every day, as if the substrate is dry they will be drawn to the moisture in the water bowl. Just clean out the bowl daily and the mites will decrease after a few days.

 

[Charliemum]

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll do that if the population gets out of hand, just hoping they’re nothing harmful

Np.They won't be harmful, they're probably detritus mites every viv has some to some extent, they won't hurt your t they just look unsightly.

As an after thought you could try adding springtails if you add enough they will out complete the mites for food and the mites will die off. Can pick springtails up on line pretty cheap, they are about £3 a colony here in the uk, but they will help at least keep the mites down.
If I missed anything or you have more questions just ask

You can also clean out the waterbowl every day, as if the substrate is dry they will be drawn to the moisture in the water bowl. Just clean out the bowl daily and the mites will decrease after a few days.

If op drys it out he risks them hitchhiking on his t as far as I know you shouldn't dry them out for this reason, they will cling to the closest thing regardless of if its a water dish or a t and once they cling onto your t it takes weeks/months to get them off again.
Unfortunately I have had 2 t's come to me infested with detritus mites and dampness n mushroom has been the trick to getting them to leave both times, as op's aren't on the t dampness n spring tings should do the trick but changing the water everyday is a great idea. The more op manages to manually remove the better.
Op could always try mushroom too, change it twice a day till you see no more mites they love rotting fungus so will be attracted to it . But you need to not feed the t while doing this or they will just stay where they are . Why move when there's free food where they are it's how it was explained to me anyways.
Again in my experience this worked and after I saw no more mites on the t or the mushroom I rehoused with both t's, but this was on infested t's not an enclosure so not sure how well it would work.

 

[viper69]

If op drys it out he risks them hitchhiking on his t as far as I know you shouldn't dry them out for this reason, they will cling to the closest thing regardless of if its a water dish or a t and once they cling onto your t it takes weeks/months to get them off again.
Unfortunately I have had 2 t's come to me infested with detritus mites and dampness n mushroom has been the trick to getting them to leave both times, as op's aren't on the t dampness n spring tings should do the trick but changing the water everyday is a great idea. The more op manages to manually remove the better.
Op could always try mushroom too, change it twice a day till you see no more mites they love rotting fungus so will be attracted to it . But you need to not feed the t while doing this or they will just stay where they are . Why move when there's free food where they are it's how it was explained to me anyways.
Again in my experience this worked and after I saw no more mites on the t or the mushroom I rehoused with both t's, but this was on infested t's not an enclosure so not sure how well it would work.

Not exactly- they are attracted to T poop and water- hence why they are in a bowl.

These are likely grain mites- in large numbers they irritate Ts when they climb on them.

 

[Charliemum]

Not exactly- they are attracted to T poop and water- hence why they are in a bowl.

These are likely grain mites- in large numbers they irritate Ts when they climb on them.

I didn't know they were attracted to t poop too thank you viper, learn something new everyday

 

[Smotzer]

They’re generally not going to be much of an actual problem but you may just need to be more diligent about spot cleaning!

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Np.They won't be harmful, they're probably detritus mites every viv has some to some extent, they won't hurt your t they just look unsightly.

As an after thought you could try adding springtails if you add enough they will out complete the mites for food and the mites will die off. Can pick springtails up on line pretty cheap, they are about £3 a colony here in the uk, but they will help at least keep the mites down.
If I missed anything or you have more questions just ask


If op drys it out he risks them hitchhiking on his t as far as I know you shouldn't dry them out for this reason, they will cling to the closest thing regardless of if its a water dish or a t and once they cling onto your t it takes weeks/months to get them off again.
Unfortunately I have had 2 t's come to me infested with detritus mites and dampness n mushroom has been the trick to getting them to leave both times, as op's aren't on the t dampness n spring tings should do the trick but changing the water everyday is a great idea. The more op manages to manually remove the better.
Op could always try mushroom too, change it twice a day till you see no more mites they love rotting fungus so will be attracted to it . But you need to not feed the t while doing this or they will just stay where they are . Why move when there's free food where they are it's how it was explained to me anyways.
Again in my experience this worked and after I saw no more mites on the t or the mushroom I rehoused with both t's, but this was on infested t's not an enclosure so not sure how well it would work.

£3 a colony woah … pet shops here want $16+

 

[Charliemum]

£3 a colony woah … pet shops here want $16+

That's ridiculous think I payed £2.99 for my last colony of spring tings from one of our spider shops , I like to top them up every now n then to make sure they outcompeat everything else in there . Safety first n all that.
Am noticing more n more how ridiculous the prices there are, you would think it would be cheaper seen as nw t's come from there north and south but no lol.
You should breed spring tings sell for $10 a pot n you'd be dollars in lol probably pay for the upkeep of your collection couldn't do that here would have to breed rooms full

 

[Tentacle Toast]

.....and a silver spoon
Little Bottle Blue
And a Goliath baboon....

 

[Brewser]

.....and a silver spoon
Little Bottle Blue
And a Goliath baboon....

Cryptic ?
silver spoon - rich ?
Little Bottle Blue - D. Diamantinensis ?
Goliath baboon - H. Gigas ?
LOL

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Cryptic ?
silver spoon - rich ?
Little Bottle Blue - D. Diamantinensis ?
Goliath baboon - H. Gigas ?
LOL

The thread's title reminded me of that "Cats In The Cradle" tune.