Mites that Feed on Snake Mites

[Fearless]

I remember reading on here somewhere but for the life of me cant find where. But there are mites, Hypoaspis mites ?? I think that will prey on snake mites in particular. Do they also prey on common rodent mites?

Does anyone have more info on these?

Also does anyone know where to get these?

And last off does anyone know what it takes to breed these little critters?

Also are they harmful to animals like Tarantula's, certain species of snakes, fish, or anything like that.

Thanks for you input

[WingedWolfPsion]

It doesn't look very encouraging, to be honest--the mites look vulnerable to dehydration, and appear to live in soil. However anything's possible, they are said to be adaptable.
http://www.biobest.be/v1/en/producte...spis_miles.htm

They would not attack animals larger than tiny insects--they are predatory mites, not parasites.

http://www.petsnails.co.uk/documents...pis_miles.html

Here's a site selling them as snake and tarantula mite control, but states that the area they are introduced to should be moistened first.

http://www.biconet.com/biocontrol/hypoaspis.html

Like all mites, they will handle the breeding on their own, in profusion, as long as they have a moist environment (such as moist soil) and food (other mites and tiny insects).

I can easily see why someone with an arthropod collection would be overjoyed by these guys...but for snake mites? I think Provent-A-Mite would be much faster and more reliable.

[Lucas339]

i have used these in my invert/herp room without soils and achevied excellent results. it is a great route to go if you don't want to use chemicals. i have done some work on them, and have been pleased with what ive found. so far they really eat anything smaller than them.

you just have to keep them somewhat moist. they won't die if they aren't soaked or anything. they just need some humidity.

[Fearless]

Has anyone tried to keep these for long periods of time and used them more as preventative maintenance? Or are they just to difficult to keep alive and find food for long periods of time?

[Lucas339]

you have to keep breeding mites or spring tails for them to eat. i have a culture im maintaining sperate from my enclosures. i don't think it would be possible to maintain a culture within a snake enclosure.

[Fearless]

I have so much to learn on this subject. Yeah I wasn't necessarily trying to keep a long running supply in with my snakes, was thinking more like a group in a seperate room and then releasing like 5k in the snake room once a month or quite feasibly just when I get to the point my colony is big enough that releasing them wouldn't be disasterous to the overall number that I could keep.

Also are they a mite that say I left in the corner of the room that they would venture out and away from the colony and find other mites to eat.

[LadyOhh]

I just ordered some, as I constantly have spring/summer wood mites pop up in my snake room due to the heat and humidity.

Just got them today, and placed them in the tubs.

I'll get back to you about how it works!

[broadude]

I just ordered some, as I constantly have spring/summer wood mites pop up in my snake room due to the heat and humidity.

Just got them today, and placed them in the tubs.

I'll get back to you about how it works!

Would you mind giving an update? I am looking into non-toxic alternatives for killing wood mites, etc in the substrate.

[771subliminal]

Would you mind giving an update? I am looking into non-toxic alternatives for killing wood mites, etc in the substrate.

ill bump this

[broadude]

Hey! When you get a minute...over here!