2 replies to this topic

[ricardoflup]

Hi guys. Has anyone have any experience using predatory mites to tackle parasitic mites attacking the ant colony in naturalistic setup but would leave the cleaning crew alone? I've seen a tutorial using Hypoaspis miles, also known as Stratiolaelaps scimitus, but these fellows would also attack the springtails..
Is there an alternative?
Or is it a case of releasing the predatory mite to kill any harmful mite with cleaning crew being sacrifices, afterwards the predatory mites would starve after doing the job, and then re introduce the springtails and isopods?

[ANTdrew]

That’s a tricky one, but I think losing springtails would be the lesser of two evils if you’re dealing with harmful mites on your ants. With luck, you might get a more natural balance of springtails vs predatory mites eventually. I know for me, the springtails in my dirt setup have way overpopulated, so I’m tempted to try some sort of control for them.

[TestSubjectOne]

Or is it a case of releasing the predatory mite to kill any harmful mite with cleaning crew being sacrifices, afterwards the predatory mites would starve after doing the job, and then re introduce the springtails and isopods?

Not sure about springtails, but predatory mites will not harm isopods besides perhaps the smallest babies.