24 replies to this topic

[FinWins]

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

So I was talking about Bug Blade by Josh’s frogs I saw them put it on some fruit flys when transferring them in a video 

[ANTdrew]

If you really don’t want grain mites, then boil any freezer insect. Mealworms and fruit flys are probably the worst for spreading the loathsome creatures.

[AntBooper600]

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.

But that will also kill the ants.

[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.

But that will also kill the ants.

Yes, obviously.

[rptraut]

This was a  small founding colony that I believe was infected when I got them.  With the number of mites in the setup I didn't think they were going to survive anyway.  Rather than risk the spread of the mites to my other colonies, I had to sacrifice the one for the good of the many.  Since then I have cleaned and disinfected all my tools, food dishes and preparation area to get rid of any eggs that might be there.  I am also more vigilant about watching for mites, now that I know what to look for and just how tiny and insignificant they look in small numbers.  I haven't boiled any feeder insects yet.