Grain mites???

[Goggles]

I have a pretty good infestation of grain mites in my cricket bin.
I did a search already and got some good info already on them but could not find anything on whether I have to get rid of the crickets?
I have about 800 crix so I hope not!!!
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry no pics. I was too busy grossing out at the fact that my bin was crawling
with these things!

Thanks in advance

Terry

 

[MEPOKEU]

pfft

i want to see pics!

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

We went through this over and over again until I changed my cricket source. In our case they were probably coming in on the crickets and then breeding in the bin. But, I also stopped using the water crystals at the same time, so those may have been helping the mites breed. They are EXPLOSIVE breeders. And I also increased ventilation.

I would remove the crickets, clean out the bin and wash it thoroughly, and place the crickets back in the clean bin. Be sure to keep moist foods well away from dry foods. But I realize that is not fool proof because the crickets will carry dry food into the moist food area. Keep the bins well ventilated. And check daily for clots of moist looking food.

This type of mite does not hurt your chams and will not inbed in their flesh.

We did one fecal exam of a new arrival one time and found a nice big mite in the fecal slide. At least, at 100x it looked HUGE. Did not seem to bother the cham one bit.

FOR MEPOKEU- HERE IS THE MITE ON THE FECAL SLIDE

 

[Goggles]

Thanks Gesang!
I was hoping I didn't have to get rid of 800 crickets.
This batch did actually come from a different source so maybe that is the problem.
Looks like I've got some work ahead of me tonight!!!
Oh and they are definately prolific breeders....they are everywhere..GROSS

Thanks
Terry