24 replies to this topic

[AntBooper600]

I am trying to start a polygynous colony of winter ants, with 4 queens, but I am having a problem. The test tube is infested with tiny white mites, and the mites are eating the eggs. I am tempted to move the queens into a better test tube, but they have mites on their bodies. How do I treat the mites?

[Manitobant]

Get hypoaspis, they eat the harmful mites

[AntBooper600]

But won't the hypoaspis also eat the brood?

[ANTdrew]

But won't the hypoaspis also eat the brood?

No, they feed on other mites and springtails.

[aznphenom]

 

But won't the hypoaspis also eat the brood?

No, they feed on other mites and springtails.

 

What about grain mites? and would you just let the hypoaspis die out over time or have to physically remove them?

[ANTdrew]

I bought some a few years ago to put in my huge Crematogaster setup to deal with grain mites. They quickly decimated the grain mite population. A few persisted over time, but it was hardly noticeable.

[rptraut]

I have a similar problem with a couple of small colonies.  Where do you get hypoastis ?  Are there any other natural predators that I might find in my yard or garden?

[ANTdrew]

I ordered mine from a company called Nature’s Good Guys. You probably could find predatory mites around, but it would be risky unless you’re really skilled on mite identification.

Edited by ANTdrew, August 29 2022 - 6:32 PM.

[rptraut]

Suppliers that I have found only ship to USA.  Know of any Canadian suppliers?

[ANTdrew]

No, sorry.

[AntsCali098]

I ordered mine from a company called Nature’s Good Guys. You probably could find predatory mites around, but it would be risky unless you’re really skilled on mite identification.

I bought some of these for my monomorium ergs because they were completely infested with parisitics. I estimate they were about 8 to 10 mites on each ant. I introduced about 15 predatory mites but the colony eventually died. I think it was just too many parasitic mites.

[AntBooper600]

Get hypoaspis, they eat the harmful mites

I tried hypoaspis, but it didn't work. The mites have already spread to my other queens, and one has even died. Is there any other way to kill mites?

[ANTdrew]

Well, it’s not an immediate fix. Give it a few weeks for them to work.

[rptraut]

I had a mite infestation in a founding colony that led to a slow decline with a larger than usual number of dead ants. When I realized what the problem was and that there was no readily available predator mites, I put the entire setup in the freezer. The mites are dead. I will have to be more sanitary to make sure they don't spread to my other colonies, especially with feeding dishes.

[ANTdrew]

I had a mite infestation in a founding colony that led to a slow decline with a larger than usual number of dead ants. When I realized what the problem was and that there was no readily available predator mites, I put the entire setup in the freezer. The mites are dead. I will have to be more sanitary to make sure they don't spread to my other colonies, especially with feeding dishes.

I dip all insects I feed my colonies in boiling water for three seconds to prevent mites. Commercially raised feeder insects are the worst for trash mites.

[FinWins]

What about that stuff they use on fruit flys? They dust the flys with this powder that kills the mites but doesn’t harm the fruit flys.

[ANTdrew]

The powder I’ve seen sold for mites is diatomaceous earth. That will kill your ants.

[rptraut]

Is boiling really necessary to kill mites?   please tell me freezing is good enough......

[ANTdrew]

No, freezing is not enough to kill eggs.

[rptraut]

What other sources of mites, besides crickets, should I boil?