Mold, Mites, and me .... an intro of sorts

[Kreepy]

Greetings, all. Nice to find a good forum when you get into a new hobby and this one has both the ingredients I require: great, solid info and someone who'll kick the nads of anyone (including me) who makes an idiotic post.

Just to get the shameless secret out of the way, I do run a pet store eek: ), but I understand the attitude of most pet related boards towards the average pet shop. We are most definately not a store that wouldn't know a GBB if it crawled out of our u-know-what. It's actually the crappy conditions and worse advice of competitors that keeps good stores like mine in business.

That being said, I'd be honored to repay some of the great info i've gotten here if any members have avian, herp, fish or small animal issues they're having problems solving. Just pm or email and I'd be most happy to help.

SO...I used to be a major arachnophobe, to the point I'd get sick to my stomach and shake and sweat...thus the name, just a play on my previously massive case of the creepy-crawlies.

Now I've got an awesome jumper (Phiddipus regius), a Tegenaria sp., a little Argiope, and this new, big, hairy E. campestratus. I absolutely love this new hobby, but on with the problems.

I have read ShultzX2 and Samuel Marshall, and didn't think I had either a ventilation problem nor was I misting excessively, but there is definately small patches of mold on some of the dried moss. I also saw a few of what I worry were mites, but if so, they were blond colored and visible to the eye which makes them very large compared to the avian mites I'm used to seeing.

Should I be panicking? Must I change out the whole thing already? That would suck as I've made quite the natural, 6-inch deep burrow and I think the whole enclosure looks great (aside from the MOLD ).

My instincts tell me it's just a tiny bit of mold and a couple of natural bugs, but I really don't want to lose this guy. Too afraid I won't replace him and then my phobia will revert.

Thanks very much for any replies. Sorry for the longwinded first post.

Kreepy

p.s. guessing a male one or two molts away from ultimate, kept in a 5.5gal on zoo-med coconut fibre with moss, water dish, live potted plant, no heat, 15w compact flourescent to trigger day/night cycle (his burrow's well protected from the light).

 

[sunnymarcie]

Hi Kreepy~:0)

Welcome to the group.
I have 2 E. campestratus (PZB) and I keep them on
peat moss, slightly damp. I have not had any problems so far.

Letting the tank dry some will help with the mites.
Someone made a trap to help with mites, but I can't
remember how to make it. Maybe they will pop up and re-post it

If the mold is in a location you can get to, scoop it out.
I had a small problem with it in another set up, and that worked
for me.

I use to be affraid of spiders too
I think I have beat it though, I have 12 T's now. And I do
plan on getting more=D

 

[MrFeexit]

I would think if you cleaned the surface while trying to not disturb the burrow that would go a long way in helping both probs. I will be building an interesting aboreal cage that when I am finished I will post a pic. But to describe it, It will be plexiglass with oak corners and at or near the substrate level will be a screen door, also the top will be screen this way I will create a chimney effect for ventilation while being able to control humidity. Just taking some home building knowledge and shrinking it.

 

[sunnymarcie]

Make sure you use heavy duty screen. People have had T's chew through screens before

 

[MrFeexit]

Oh it's it's actually hardware cloth. 3/16 wire mesh with the joints covered so that no T toes get caught.