cricket mites?

[camimom]

So just found itty bity white bug things in an on my cricket keeper.what could they be, should I get rid of the remaining crickets?
Are they harmful to cham if fed a cricket?
I have fed him ne since I discovered them.
Thanks!

 

[ShortStack]

How long were the crickets in their container?

It could be hatched cricket eggs, if not mites...

 

[pssh]

Do you feed them any kind of grain? They could be grain mites (though I can't remember what color they are exactly.)

 

[camimom]

How long were the crickets in their container?

It could be hatched cricket eggs, if not mites...

these crickets have been in the keeper for about 4 weeks. its a ten gallon tank with a screen lid.
i dont think its hatched eggs, cuz these things are crawling on the outside of the tank lid too.

 

[camimom]

Do you feed them any kind of grain? They could be grain mites (though I can't remember what color they are exactly.)

they dont get any grains. just fruits and veggies.


So, should i just get rid of them? and dont ask for a picture, you wont be able to see anything, they are very very tiny, look like a spec of dust almost, that moves.

 

[camimom]

Seriously guys. need some help here. cant trash 300 crickets unless i have to. need to know what is going on, never seen this before.

 

[AESara]

Maybe they could be one of these?

http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th7g.htm

If so, I would guess either the flour or mold mite. Especially the mold mite sounds like a possibility since they'd be attracted to the fruits and vegetables the crickets would be eating. If it were me, I would try transferring the crickets into another container and completely washing the tank and screen lid. See if they return and you'll know if you have to get rid of the crickets.

 

[The Lucky Chameleon]

id just get rid of all crickets, and bleach everything in and includeing tank, and start fresh! i dont trust any kind of possible mite on or around reptiles

 

[camimom]

Ok guys thanks. I think im gonna err on the side of caution and dump them and sanitize the cage. damn, i was really hoping i wouldnt have to do that. theres like 300 crickets left from my 1000 order. oh well, what must be done must be done.

Thanks again!

ps. i have no idea if the mites i saw were the ones from the link, they are soo damn tiny, id need a magnifying glass to see anything above that speck of dust is moving. lol

 

[ChameleonsInMyHouse]

i want to help by suggesting they are the "grain mites" "flour mites" stated above. i had them destroy some dry gut loading ingredients when i stored everything in my closet.

 

[camimom]

i want to help by suggesting they are the "grain mites" "flour mites" stated above. i had them destroy some dry gut loading ingredients when i stored everything in my closet.

Cept I havent used any dry gutload recently. or at all with this batch of crickets. They have just been getting fresh fruits and veggies bc i am in the process of moving and i just threw my leftover veggies in with them. I normally use dry stuff, but havent been able to with this batch simply bc i have no room to store the stuff i used where i was staying. so def not grain mites.