14 replies to this topic

[Connectimyrmex]

Hi!

Once again, I've collected a colony with mites (my newly found Crematogaster colony). Unlike my other once-infested-now-dead colonies, I've only seen a few mites, and I've removed every once I could see (with a toothpick and a bit of cotton). I'm still worried that there might be an underlying infestation though. Is there any chance that the crematogaster colony would be able to overcome the mite infestation by itself, since this colony has strong formic acid defense?

[AntsAreUs]

I think it depends on the species. My Temnothorax colony will attack mites if they ever come into contact with them. I would try adding a lemon to their outworld which should kill off the mites.

[Shifty189]

maybe a little out side the box thinking might help here. Definitely give Lemon as AntsAreUs said, but maybe try feeding them some Orange juice. Its also very acidic, and sweet so they might want to drink it.

[Connectimyrmex]

Thanks for the info, guys!

I don't think lemon really works. In my anting experience, lemon always failed. It didn't work for Antscanada, if you guys are thinking about that. I'll try it again, though!

I'm going to move them into a terrarium in the near future, by the way (moving might help stress out the mites).

[Ant Broski]

Thanks for the info, guys!
I don't think lemon really works. In my anting experience, lemon always failed. It didn't work for Antscanada, if you guys are thinking about that. I'll try it again, though!
I'm going to move them into a terrarium in the near future, by the way (moving might help stress out the mites).

You should definitely move them into terrarium. Just try to make it pretty big because in nature ants get rid of mites by moving their nest somewhere else. Some mites are easier to get rid then others though. If they are just hitchhikers, the terrarium will trigger them to go to the next stage a jump off the ants. If the mites are parasites then the will stress the mites out by moving.

[Martialis]

I think it depends on the species. My Temnothorax colony will attack mites if they ever come into contact with them. I would try adding a lemon to their outworld which should kill off the mites.

 

 

Lemons do nothing against mites.

[gcsnelling]

 

I think it depends on the species. My Temnothorax colony will attack mites if they ever come into contact with them. I would try adding a lemon to their outworld which should kill off the mites.

 

 

Lemons do nothing against mites.

 

so true, just like moth balls repelling snakes. Just a bunch of whooey.

[dspdrew]

I have some parasitic mites I've been experimenting with the last couple weeks. As for the ones that I have, they seem to be pretty tough. I noticed yesterday that I could drip alcohol on them, and they just keep on walking around like nothing happened. One thing that does seem to kill them within hours though, is desiccation. Unfortunately this won't happen until every ant is dead and there's no moisture left anywhere.

[sirjordanncurtis]

I have some parasitic mites I've been experimenting with the last couple weeks. As for the ones that I have, they seem to be pretty tough. I noticed yesterday that I could drip alcohol on them, and they just keep on walking around like nothing happened. One thing that does seem to kill them within hours though, is desiccation. Unfortunately this won't happen until every ant is dead and there's no moisture left anywhere.

 

What kind of alcohol?

[Hunter]

if you are like me i just use left over antimite for my bee hives and it works, just lower the amount. https://www.mannlake...ites/formic-pro

Edited by Hunter, May 11 2018 - 8:08 AM.

[dspdrew]

 

I have some parasitic mites I've been experimenting with the last couple weeks. As for the ones that I have, they seem to be pretty tough. I noticed yesterday that I could drip alcohol on them, and they just keep on walking around like nothing happened. One thing that does seem to kill them within hours though, is desiccation. Unfortunately this won't happen until every ant is dead and there's no moisture left anywhere.

 

What kind of alcohol?

 

 

Denatured alcohol.

[TennesseeAnts]

Sorry drew! I think I accidentally just reported your post!

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 11 2018 - 5:11 PM.

[T.C.]

Sorry drew! I think I accidentally just reported your post!

He'll have to give himself a warning know.

[sirjordanncurtis]

 

 

I have some parasitic mites I've been experimenting with the last couple weeks. As for the ones that I have, they seem to be pretty tough. I noticed yesterday that I could drip alcohol on them, and they just keep on walking around like nothing happened. One thing that does seem to kill them within hours though, is desiccation. Unfortunately this won't happen until every ant is dead and there's no moisture left anywhere.

 

What kind of alcohol?

 

 

Denatured alcohol.

 

You should add methanol

[Connectimyrmex]

Thanks for all the tips!

I'm going to add my Crematogaster to a larger terrarium in the future.

 

Also @ Hunter, wouldn't anti-mite kill the brood?