mites in fruit fly and bean beetle cultures

[distortionz]

Sorry if this is a common topic. I know in ff cultures mites are almost inevitable. I always see the little white grain mites. I usually get rid of my cultures after about 3 weeks.. but just today I was looking if some of my bean beetle cultures and noticed mites in there.. they were white like the grain mites however they were moving much faster than the grain mites.. can any one identify what these mites are? And if they are a potential threat to my chameleons? I know the grain mites in the ff cultures are said to be no harm but I want to make sure about these guys.

Thanks

Shaun

 

[distortionz]

Cmon I know somebody around here knows about mites lol

 

[fluxlizard]

They shouldn't harm the lizards if that is what you are asking. Probably a form of dust mite or other.

To help prevent, you can treat your shelving with mite spray (I use rid from walmart and apply a light coat 2x per year). And then additionally, keep your cultures from touching each other so the mites cannot transfer directly from one container to the next- they have to cross the sprayed shelving first.

I don't know anything about bean beetles, but if you are offering a moisture source like fruit or veggies, it is possible you are offering too much or not allowing for enough ventilation and allowing the culture to get too moist. At least that is the mistake I made when I had mites pop up in mealworms, superworms and hissing roaches in the past. Like I said though- I don't know anything about how to culture beetles or if your mites are similar to the ones I had pop up.

 

[distortionz]

Thanks for the response.. I'm not exactly sure what kind of mites they are they look just like the grain mites in the ff cultures.. maybe a little smaller but waaaaay faster.. the beetles don't get any fruits our veggies so it shouldn't be a moisture thing.. all they have in with them is black eyed peas... it's hard to find much information on bean beetles online

 

[CarlC]

If you are keeping the bean beetle cultures in a room with humidity the beans will absorb just enough to sustain and attract mites.

I use anti mite paper on the shelving I raise my cultures on. Fruit fly cultures are on a shelf below the beetles to make sure the mites don't drop onto the bean cultures.

Carl