My Vinegaroon decided to reveal itself today, and it just occurred to me that it is absolutely infested with some sort of mite. I'm notable expert on the type of mites so identifying what they are would be very helpful, but these look pretty harmful. And any advice on what I should do to get them off would be appreciated too.
Mites on Vinegaroon?
- Thread starter Leovithan
- Start date
Smotzer
ArachnoGod
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2020
- Messages
- 5,451
Wow that’s horrible, you must have an immense amount in the enclosure, you are going to want to see if you can gently wash and or brush those mites off of it possibly if you can
and I recommend a substrate change as it’s going to be too hard to get rid of them all and keep it somewhat moist for the vinegaroon at the same time. And you need to assess where all these mites originated and check all other feeders and enclosures. Mites generally aren’t harmful and I can’t ID them big it’s a sign that you need to keep a closer eye on things.
and I recommend a substrate change as it’s going to be too hard to get rid of them all and keep it somewhat moist for the vinegaroon at the same time. And you need to assess where all these mites originated and check all other feeders and enclosures. Mites generally aren’t harmful and I can’t ID them big it’s a sign that you need to keep a closer eye on things.
birdonfire
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2019
- Messages
- 145
Is the substrate allowed to dry out? This happens with dry substrates and lack of mite food sources. Ie, they're hitching a ride to greener pastures.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2008
- Messages
- 1,141
Wow, thats a shocking picture. I can't help too much but I hope someone else comes in here and helps. One thing I do know, true predatory mites are incredibly rare. What is likely, these guys just happen to be hitching a ride on your pet to exploit a food source. You're going to need to do some detective work and figure out what they're feeding on in the enclosure or nearby and why they happen to be on your dude.
As well, this thread has excellent info: https://arachnoboards.com/threads/all-you-need-to-know-about-mites.309211/
As well, this thread has excellent info: https://arachnoboards.com/threads/all-you-need-to-know-about-mites.309211/
Smotzer
ArachnoGod
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2020
- Messages
- 5,451
Should not remain dry for the extent it might have to to get rid off the amount of mites that’s in that enclosure. Vinegaroons are moisture dependent
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2005
- Messages
- 11,508
Definitely appears to be a typical mite swarming. Plus side is predatory mites usually target specific hosts so the odds are, as others have said, it's a harmless opportunity infestation looking for greener pastures. If the animal doesn't seem sick or stressed observed over a period of time it's not a concern. Down side is assume every inch of the containment and everything in it is infested. Up side there is, you can clean the animal with an artists paint brush and if the containment is small enough move the animal to a temporary quarantine container and put that containment in a refrigerator or freezer, <40 F, for a 2+ weeks to 20 days - full gestattion cycle of the mite. or 72 hours below 32 F, which should cause a full die off.
Thank you for all the replies. I managed to gently brush off a few mites. But now the vinegaroon buried itself. I'm worried about more mites gathering on it. SHould I dig it out? Or just let it rest for a possible molt? That's what I was afraid of if it was going to molt soon or not.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2008
- Messages
- 1,141
It does look rather plump in the pic. I'd wait for others to reply and see.
Edan bandoot
Arachnoprince
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2019
- Messages
- 1,600
if u haven't put it into a completely new enclosure the exact same thing will happen again with time.
Smotzer
ArachnoGod
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2020
- Messages
- 5,451
Bingo exactly what I was trying to get the OP to see.
I woykd try to mitigate the mite issue before it molts, until you clean it out you’ll be back there in no time. I would rehouse it, as long as it is not physically molting I would do it. If it was mine I’d try to get the mites out of the enclosure since completely drying it out for extended periods of time isn’t exactly the best for Thelyphonida.