Would Ladybugs eat mites?

[earthgirl]

Does anyone know if Ladybugs would help to keep the T enclosure free from mites?
I know they eat aphids......
Thanks
:?

 

[druid8783]

I know they do eat mites...I don't know how effective they'd be in a T enclosure.

 

[druid8783]

I just dug around a little more and found that only certain species of lady bugs eat mites, and only then certain kinds of mites. So it probably wouldn't work that well. Plus they only eat around 20 mites a day, which in the grand scheme of things wouldn't be that effective unless you had several in there which would probably be irritating to your T.

 

[Beastmaster]

I've read in The Tarantula Keeper's Guide that pill bugs are useful in keeing mite populations in check. Just go outside and look under a potted plant, or piece of wood or a rock, and you should find plenty.

 

[Dark Raptor]

Yes. Some species can eat mites, but generally ladybugs are difficult (in some ways) to breed. They grow too slowly to control their prays. I had in my collection some Coccinella species, so I know how it is difficult.
I think, the best solution to control mites is to use... other mites. There are many predators among them, so I would try with that group of invertebrates.
I know that in USA you can buy these mites in labs, specialised in biological pests control.

 

[earthgirl]

Thanks everybody for your input!

 

[bugsnstuff]

the mites you are looking for are Hypoapsis miles (miles not mites! lol), they are the mite that eats the mites in the T enclosure.
as soon as they have done their job and no mites are remaining they die out.

please let me know if you find a supplier

steve