simple
Achatina achatina
Posts: 97
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Post by simple on Mar 31, 2018 20:42:22 GMT
I found tiny white mites in many of my snails, I searched about them and they fit the description of the slug mite. I heard that predatory mites are a common solution but I can't find any stores selling them. I've tried washing the snails daily and giving them medication suggested by a vet, but the mites always come back in a matter of weeks. I know they hide inside the pneumostome, can I put anything inside it to force them to come out without harming the snails? I thought about trying to find some predatory mites by myself, but I don't know if they exist where I live and I can't find any information on their habitat. Please help, the symptoms are getting worse
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Post by seastar on Apr 4, 2018 22:48:43 GMT
Oh my! Poor you! I had the same problem, but with fly larvae. Here's what I've done;
1st; isolate the snails and the eggs. 2nd; wash the decorations and the moss with HOT water. 3rd; bake the coco fiber at 400°F for 2 hours. 4th; wash the container with 2 cups of water mixed with 1/4 cup of vinegar. 5th; give a bath and oil shell treatment to my snails.
You could try what I said? It might help (I think?)
Seastar
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Post by morningcoffee on Apr 5, 2018 8:17:42 GMT
Here's a really good video of the harmful Riccardoella snail/slug mites: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-cd7GG2mEMIf the mites on your snails don't look and move like this then they are more likely different bugs like springtails, which are harmless (but can irritate snails in large numbers). Unfortunately if these are the mites you have, the only thing I know of that can completely get rid of them is the predatory Hypoaspis miles mites. I don't know where you live (Europe?) but there are quite a few UK sites that sell them, if you're unable to find a supplier near you, you could see if any UK sellers will ship them to you, but it may be expensive.
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simple
Achatina achatina
Posts: 97
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Post by simple on Apr 5, 2018 9:19:09 GMT
I've already isolated the affected snails, I'll try doing what seastar suggested. The mites in the video are exactly what I see on my snails, but I don't see as many. I do live in Europe, so I can try searching for them, but wouldn't shipping kill the mites before arriving? Thank you for your help.
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Post by Liguus on Apr 5, 2018 17:54:42 GMT
No, they will be fine. Usually the mites are packed in a tube with vermiculite and can handle pretty cold temps. If its a reputable company you will get your order with no problems. Can't recommend any particular website to order from though since Im in the US and just familiar with the sources here.
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Post by GailTheSnail on Jul 2, 2019 18:10:11 GMT
No, they will be fine. Usually the mites are packed in a tube with vermiculite and can handle pretty cold temps. If its a reputable company you will get your order with no problems. Can't recommend any particular website to order from though since Im in the US and just familiar with the sources here. I’m in the US, would you mind sharing your supplier? I’m absolutely devastated after 2 years of snail keeping and no problems I have mites and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of them
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Post by Liguus on Jul 2, 2019 20:30:13 GMT
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Post by GailTheSnail on Jul 2, 2019 21:27:43 GMT
You’re the best thank you 😘😘
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Post by GailTheSnail on Jul 3, 2019 1:36:09 GMT
One last thing sorry- which mites did you get? I didn’t recognize the names of any of them on the site
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Post by Liguus on Jul 4, 2019 0:26:21 GMT
Hypoaspis is the one usually recommended, but I got the mix pack which included them as one of the three.
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Post by GailTheSnail on Jul 4, 2019 5:13:20 GMT
Hypoaspis is the one usually recommended, but I got the mix pack which included them as one of the three. Thanks! I just messaged you because I didn’t see this so disregard that you did use them with Cornu right? I’m so scared they’ll hurt my snails but I know I have to take some risk or it will just get worse
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Post by Liguus on Jul 4, 2019 16:05:56 GMT
I used them with Helix pomatia. The predatory mites don't hurt snails, they just eat other mites.
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Post by GailTheSnail on Jul 4, 2019 23:36:08 GMT
I used them with Helix pomatia. The predatory mites don't hurt snails, they just eat other mites. I ordered them. I hope they come soon, I did overnight. How did you get them into your snail habitat? I have some long tweezers I was thinking of using but idk what to expect. And it seems you’re supposed to only use a certain amount based on the size of the habitat right
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Post by GailTheSnail on Jul 11, 2019 4:54:03 GMT
I used them with Helix pomatia. The predatory mites don't hurt snails, they just eat other mites. Two questions for you If you don’t mind. 1- my snails keep eating the stuff that came packed with the mites. Did yours do this? Is it ok? 2- I saw literally no movement inside the tube. How do I know if they are even In there, let alone alive?
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Post by Liguus on Jul 15, 2019 9:28:47 GMT
I tossed the whole tube in after I opened it so all the mets would run out. They eventually leave the terrarium but if the parasite mites are there they will stick around for a while.
They are usually packed in vermiculite which is made from a bunch of minerals so they should be fine.
The mites should be running around. When I got my tube there was no movement but I ordered it in November, and once they "heated up" in my house after I opened the package they were running around the tube. It may be that yours died if they overheated in the post. IDK. it's always a good idea to wait a while and see if anything is moving in the tube and then contact the company if there's a problem. The mites are small but they run around fast and the movement is noticeable for sure.
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Post by GailTheSnail on Jul 16, 2019 0:46:43 GMT
I tossed the whole tube in after I opened it so all the mets would run out. They eventually leave the terrarium but if the parasite mites are there they will stick around for a while. They are usually packed in vermiculite which is made from a bunch of minerals so they should be fine. The mites should be running around. When I got my tube there was no movement but I ordered it in November, and once they "heated up" in my house after I opened the package they were running around the tube. It may be that yours died if they overheated in the post. IDK. it's always a good idea to wait a while and see if anything is moving in the tube and then contact the company if there's a problem. The mites are small but they run around fast and the movement is noticeable for sure. Ya pretty sure they sent me a vial with very few to no living mites. There was 0 movement and I’ve seen little to no change in the last 5 days. You must have gotten lucky with that company because their customer service was beyond awful in every possible way. I’ve lost 17 snails now due to this and I’m sick over it. I ordered new mites from another company that turned out to be the same company under a new name and so far it’s the same: has taken over a week to arrive despite me expediting it to 24 hour and I just PRAY this time they will give me what I ordered so some of my sweet innocent babies have a chance of recovering from this awful situation.
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