mealworm bedding invasion

[Gecko Euphoria]

Hi I just need a little help. I have a few colonys of mealies which I breed. I keep them in wheat bran. Well I went and bought a 50lb bag the other day and added some to my colonys well last night when I was digging some worms out to feed my geckos I noticed these little microscpic bugs that were little white specs they look like dust but they move. Ive found out they are wheat mites. Anyway just wondering how to get rid of them and if they will hurt geckos the internet said they were'nt harmful to humans. They have been moved to my shed along with all of the wheat bran I bought just in case they were bad so I can dispose of them and start over if I need to. Any help with this would be greatly appriciated Thanks.

 

[gothra]

There are quite a few thread on grain mites, here's one:

http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=21215&highlight=grain+mites

I had an infestation once, I threw away everything and started all over. They are very hard to get rid of. I think humidity is the main culprit for an infestation.

 

[GeckoGathering]

May work

Try This...May work for you. Small meal worm farmer site.. seems helpful too. This is what he does. He is also on this forum. Take care. HJ

http://www.freewebs.com/mealworms/qualitycontrol.htm

 

[godzillizard]

Mites are a pain! I've used Einstein oil (Neem oil) to keep them away from my plants, but i know nothing about tissue toxicity...I'd spray it directly on the plants though.

 

[bitterbeauty]

If you want to continue using that bag of oat you bought you must take out a small amount that you want to use and microwave it and then freeze it. But it would be best just to throw it out. I had mites once so I stopped using potatoes (causes alot moisture which mites like). What I did was I sifted the mealworms out with a colander and threw the bedding away and then rinsed the mealworms off with water. This only works if your mealies are big. Do this outside! It worked and I started using carrots (less moisture). GOOD LUCK.

 

[gothra]

I also want to add that these mites multiply very fast; perhaps its because I live in a humid region. I didn't even notice there are mites in my bedding at first becasue they are so small; when I finally noticed their presence, there were literally zillions of them. When I pick up that piece of carrot, these mites are rolling off each other like snow balls!!

I have seen 2 types of mites in the bedding, the first type is white and dust like. These are VERY tiny, you won't be able to see its legs or what so ever, just a moving white dot that comes in great numbers. I don't think you can get rid of this type in any way, the best thing is throw everything away and start over again.

The second type is slightly larger, if you look really close you can make out the shape of the mite. They are white colored when younger, then turn light brown when full grown. These come in much less numbers and I think its possible to save the mealworms or supers by sifting them out and throw away the old bedding.

p.s. I had the first type right before I moved house some years ago; I did threw away everything and wiped the shelf with bleach water. I thought everything is done, but when I went back to the empty house 2 months later, these mites were all over the empty shelf! It was disgusting! I didn't even want to go near the shelf! And so I am being extremely careful now, I have a shallow dish of water underneath each mealworm tub (small); so even if there is an infestation again, the mites can't get out and spread everywhere.

 

[Ultrakd]

I kinda have the same problem, but what I have in my bag is moths. I microwave the wheat bran for a minute before I use it though.

 

[dmreptiles]

mites

i had problems with mites also so i also stopped using potatoes and now use carrots i havent had that problem again