14 replies to this topic

[Sugarrayjay87]

Hey all, new ant enthusiast here. Found a colony over spring while digging. I have taken it instead of allowing it to be destroyed. 2 queens, thriving colony even now. I think I can count about 100 workers and hundreds of larvae now, when it started in April it was two queens and 5 workers. Needless to say they have been thriving quite well. Until now, mites.

https://ibb.co/qND3wDy

Here is a zoomed up pic I took of one of the infected. I've taken 13 out that were badly infected and put them together in isolation. I would keep doing this but I've noticed that both queens have some mites on both their gastor.

I am in over my head and in seek of guidance. This colony means a lot to me and I want to save it. I cannot identify myself what kind of mites these are, but as you can see in the picture, some of them are completely covered.

Thank you in advance.
Sincerely, worried AntDad.

[M_Ants]

I'm no very little about mites but those look parasitic to me.

[DDD101DDD]

Oh wow that does look bad. You can try to buy some predatory mites in the hopes that they eat the mites on your ants. https://www.amazon.c...ef=nb_sb_noss_1

 

I don't know what type of mites those are or if the predatory mites will eat your mites but it's worth a shot. Also I suggest you wait for other people's opinions to come in as I'm not experienced with this type of thing, just heard of predatory mites working before.

[Sugarrayjay87]

Thank you I will keep this considered.

[ZTYguy]

Predatory mites!!!!! You have to get some. They work like a charm.

I keep them with all of my colonies just in case

[Antkeeper01]

yas the mite infestation looks terrible and prdatory mites should work

[OhNoNotAgain]

Hypoaspis don't work for tiny white grain mites but for these hopefully they will. Definitely should try predatory mites.

Please update.

[ANTdrew]

Yes, I recommend predatory mites as well. I ordered various species from NaturesGoodGuys this summer, and they decimated a mite infestation (non-parasitic) I had.

[Sugarrayjay87]

I will update thank you, as far as which type of predatory mites to buy, I see many types. Does anybody know which type of predatory mite I should buy?

[ZTYguy]

Hypoaspis

Edited by ZTYguy, December 6 2020 - 7:16 PM.

[Ants_Dakota]

honestly, if your colony is not dead by now, they must not be that bad. that many mites should kill ants in days.

[RushmoreAnts]

that many mites should kill ants in days.

Parasitic mites, you mean. As has been mentioned, these are certainly not parasitic.

[Devi]

I have never had to deal with mites, but that looks really awful.  Hope you can find a suitable solution soon!

[Ants_Dakota]

I have never had to deal with mites, but that looks really awful.  Hope you can find a suitable solution soon!

same

[ZTYguy]

Hypoaspis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They're honestly not that exspensive