Mites... Again

[sbugir]

Hey,

I woke up to check on my fruitfly cultures (like I do everyday) and I noticed on my shelf where I keep them small white dots... I looked on the other side, and there is just an explosion of mites. Obviously I have to throw away the cultures, but how do I do the after cleanup?

Do I just vacuum the mites or...spray? It's absolutely grotesque to see them move...

How do I prevent this!?! I keep my cultures in a tray of water with mite paper under it and, yet they still get contaminated.

 

[kamakiri]

You need to start new cultures with flies that are isolated or 'cleaned' of the mites. It's tough to do if you have the problem.

Or get rid of the cultures you have and start again with new ones. Make sure you are not cross-contaminating your 'clean' cultures and keep them separately until you know they are all clean.

 

[Rick]

Yep. Doesn't matter how many barriers you put up if you are making new cultures from contaminated ones. Totally disinfect everything and start over. I had mites once and all I did was start over and use mite paper. I haven't used mite paper in several years now and never have any issues these days. I would also get your flies from a different source.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I use a mite spray that is safe after fifteen minutes and absoluty kills them, best thing I ever got from an exterminator.

 

[sbugir]

Yeah, I'm making new cultures from a new source, I will look to get new mite paper... but as for the ones that are possibly still in my room, do I just vacuum them up...? I was soo scared to see them crawling on my shelf and on my TV...creepy bastards.

 

[kamakiri]

If your humidity is pretty low, then I don't think they'll live long. I'd just put the mite paper where I see them and keep the new cultures somewhere new ... also on mite paper until the problem is gone.

If I see a heavy infestation, I wipe with a paper towel soaked or damp with soap/water or bleach like tilex. Then flush that paper towel not put it in the trash.

 

[sbugir]

If your humidity is pretty low, then I don't think they'll live long. I'd just put the mite paper where I see them and keep the new cultures somewhere new ... also on mite paper until the problem is gone.If I see a heavy infestation, I wipe with a paper towel soaked or damp with soap/water or bleach like tilex. Then flush that paper towel not put it in the trash.

Okay, its weird, CO humidity is like 25% I wouldn't think they'd survive...

 

[kamakiri]

Okay, its weird, CO humidity is like 25% I wouldn't think they'd survive...

Well if they're leaving the culture fat and hydrated, then I could easily see them living over a day.

One of my crazy ideas was to use a hairdryer to kill the mites, but not the flies...haven't tried it yet though! :lol:

 

[sbugir]

Haha , well I disposed the cultures via snow... Hopefully the mites will freeze...

I've made new cultures, and I am currently keeping them at an elevated level. I have heard mites don't like height.

We'll see how we go... This is the second time -.-

They creep me out man, little whites dots crawling...ewww. I always feel itchy after looking at them. Maybe I'm tweeking out :lol:

 

[Peter Clausen]

Mites are everywhere and can go long periods w/o humidity in a stage called hypopus. It sounds like your setup should go a long way to prevent infestations though. I wonder if you are setting the lid of the culture down on some surface, perhaps near a houseplant, and reinfecting the culture in this way. Perhaps more likely, the flies you seed your new cultures with are carrying mites.

 

[sbugir]

Thanks Peter, we'll see how it goes... I'm keeping them relatively far away from each other too... Not sure if that'll have any effect, but whatever lol.

 

[ismart]

I have had a mite problem for the past two years. All i have down is mite paper so they do't go crawling all over the place. I can honestly say they don't bother me much. My cultures still produce a crazy amount of flies.

 

[sbugir]

I have had a mite problem for the past two years. All i have down is mite paper so they do't go crawling all over the place. I can honestly say they don't bother me much. My cultures still produce a crazy amount of flies.

, I just have a crazy misconception that they'll consume me and cause massive itching...Maybe I'm a hypochondriac ?

I've ordered some mite paper from black jungle, 18" x 11' roll for $5

 

[ismart]

, I just have a crazy misconception that they'll consume me and cause massive itching...Maybe I'm a hypochondriac ? I've ordered some mite paper from black jungle, 18" x 11' roll for $5

:lol: I have the same misconception! I don't really care that there in my cultures, but the thought of them crawling on me! :lol: Thats why i have mite paper down.

 

[sbugir]

:lol: I have the same misconception! I don't really care that there in my cultures, but the thought of them crawling on me! :lol: Thats why i have mite paper down.

LOL, it is pretty creepy though when you seem em on the lid. The first time I freaked... But yeah, when they crawl its sooo gross. I wonder what ailments can they cause.