Springtails, mites, worm eggs...

[dmina]

So I have a couple of different hobbies going.. and as usual trying to maybe be able to multi-purpose insects/bugs...

I have a colony of Springtails...

I have a colony of Red Wiggler recycling (composting) worms

Which also have a problem with mites ... They are also in my bug room.

I was wondering if anyone knew, if I could add some springtails to the soil in the "worm farm" , to eliminate the mites that are in the soil.

Do you think the springtails would eat the mites?

Do you think the springtails would eat the worm eggs?

The mites don't hurt the worms... but I think it keeps re-infesting all the other live food in my bug room..

Any thoughts on this?

any idea's?

 

[Sticky]

I know pill bugs eat mites. I bought them from Bugs In Cyberspace. The spring tails eat mold, I dont know if they eat mites. The pillbugs need a moist home, a spritz everyother day and someting to hide under for the day. A couple of leaves and bark. Put both in the oven on low for awhile. You dont need any more little friends!

Im sure someone more qualified will chime in here.

 

[Ranitomeya]

Springtails will not eat mites and will not eat worm eggs. Your only options for eliminating the mite issue will be to put all your other cultures on anti-mite paper or start a fresh worm culture that has no mites.

 

[dmina]

I sell the worms and eggs... so I don't want them eaten... But I guess the springtails are not the answer...Thought I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone...Here to hoping, :clown: and reality ..LOL

 

[Krissim Klaw]

Springtails will not kill off mites, but they will compete with many species of mites for resources and can help control mite numbers. They make a great cleanup crew to prevent fungus and such from forming. I use springtails in my natural roach tank setup. If the mites are bothersome enough, predatory mites might be an option if you aren't looking to try and completely restart all your cultures. You might have to double check to see they won't bother the worm eggs though.

Unless the mites are one of the few harmful species that are actually parasitic to your feeders, or they get such a large population boom they are out competing them for the resources, then I personally wouldn't be worried about the mites. In small numbers I just consider them another cleanup crew.

 

[dmina]

I think I breed mites the best...LOL

They are not harmful... I think I just have too much going on in one little room...

I got the mite paper for the fruit fly cultures... but at this point I am going to have to wall paper the room with it..

Nothing is out of control.. but when you notice other things moving.. where there shouldn't is a little un-nerving...

 

[Sticky]

Isopods eat mites! They have been a huge help in my centipede tanks which had been swarming with them. Now I cant see any.

 

[dmina]

Good to know... Thanks for the help...