roach symbiotic mites

[vindicatedornot]

I recently obtained some giant madagascar hissers and they have the symbiotic kind of mites all over them. I've read they arn't a problem and they stay on the roaches and help them. I tried searching the forum about my question but never really saw an answer. Can my chameleon eat a roach nymph with these little mites? They are not the infesting type. Any info would be appreciated incase i need to clean up the few i have before they breed.

Thanks,
Andrea

 

[vindicatedornot]

anybody know?

 

[kenya]

I acquired a large hisser colony from a friend of mine and they have the mites as well. I have had the (robust) colony for many months now and haven't had a problem. When I first saw the mites, I freaked out and looked for ways to get rid of them. The one thing I found that I would have used was another species of mite that preys on any other mites. I don't have the link currently on hand, but I believe the mites are also used to control fungus gnats and you can order a quart of them (in vermiculite as the media) through a company called BioControl network or something like that. I pretty much decided it wasn't worth getting rid of them because it couldn't be proven if they were symbiotic or just parasites and they didn't seem to be doing any harm.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

 

[vindicatedornot]

i was really just wondering if they would infest my cham. Sounds very scary. Dogs hate fleas. I'd imagine mites would be similar to him.

 

[kenya]

i was really just wondering if they would infest my cham. Sounds very scary. Dogs hate fleas. I'd imagine mites would be similar to him.

They won't infest anything other than the roaches...I haven't even noticed them on my dubia and the bins are connected and wooden.

Fleas on a dog would not be comparable to mites on a roach if the mites are in fact symbiotic and somehow benefit the roach. Fleas are simply parasites; if the roach mites are symbiotic, then both parties involved benefit from the relationship.

Make more sense?

I don't think that you have anything to worry about.

 

[vindicatedornot]

i meant the mites on a chameleon but okies thanks for your help and confirmation

-Andrea