red mites

[Mystymantis]

I found tiny red mites in some of my mantis enclosures, and was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences. I am thinking the mites came from wild food I fed to my mantises, either moths (which I think is unlikely), or wild wood roaches (which is probably where they came from).  They are about 1mm long  and have very thin legs and are all bright red. I also found one today in another room and am concerned they might cause problems to my mantises or feeders. especially if they spread or are blood sucker type. Particularly my feeder roaches if the mite is a parasite of roaches. Has anyone had this problem or seen these mites? I got a picture and can upload it once I download my pictures.

 

[River Dane]

Sounds like you could be dealing with chiggers (also called harvest mites). As far as I know, they don’t do much to insects, but are a nuisance to humans. Did it look anything like this?

[image from Google]

 

[Mystymantis]

Yes it does look like that. Though I think there are several mites that look like that too. I looked up red mites and also found the Clover mite looks like that too. Maybe they were just chiggers? Though I don't want them biting me either!

thanks so much!

 

[River Dane]

Yeah, when it comes to creatures this tiny, they’re practically impossible to tell apart without a microscope. Your best bet is probably to thoroughly clean all your insect enclosures, just in case.

Good luck!