8 replies to this topic

[Ottercl]

I just bought a new Camponotus americanus colony (7 workers) a few days ago. However, , today when I checked on the colony, I noticed a red mite on the queen’s back leg. What should I do?

[Virginian_ants]

Can you post pics? It could be a harmless mite that just is on a transport. If it gets worse predatory mites I hear work well.

[Ottercl]

It’s hard to get a pic bc the queen hides behind the workers and the mite is small. However, I’ve attached a picture that looks almost identical to my queen. The mite appears to be on the queen’s joint.

Attached Images

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[Virginian_ants]

That looks like the mites that attacked ants Canada's golden empire but I'm no mite nerd. Predatory mites worked for him and other keepers but I have no experience with mites luckily.

[SHmealer]

remove the mite by stroking her leg with cotton until it comes off

[BleepingBleepers]

Thankfully, I haven't dealt with mites myself but if it's like one or two mites, I'd definitely take her out, hold her with a featherweight tweezers and get a q tip or blunt tip tooth pick and prod it off. Full on infestation is a different thing. I saved a link to a really nice discussion on my journal...ummm...

 

https://www.formicul...nts-have-mites/

Check up on post #13

Others had some useful info too, but post 13

 

If it gets worse.

[Virginian_ants]

Welp I have to take back my other post. A Formica Pallidefulva queen I have has a whole lot of little white mites. Does anyone know if they cause damage?

[Locness]

Thoughts on UV exposure to kill mites? Is how ants in the wild manage mites?

[PurdueEntomology]

I plan to experiment with oxalic acid that is used to remove Varroa mites from honey bees.  

 

https://www.perfectb...ing-oxalic-acid

 

This is only for parasitic mites not grain mites (generally the small white mites one finds)

Edited by PurdueEntomology, September 2 2023 - 9:01 AM.