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Post by anniemal on Jul 10, 2021 11:54:43 GMT
Today I found my snail (I think he is a white lipped snail) with a thick white cover on the opening of the shell. I was very worried so I peeled it back and saw about 6 white mites crawling over him. he has since come out the shell so he is alive. I have seen these mites before but this is the worst that has happened. He lives with other snails, who I have seen with mites on them. They normally have a moss (from my garden) substrate but recently I have had to use large spinach leaves from my garden which are going mouldy and I will ahve to replace. How do i get rid of these mites and are they dangerous to my snails? I have also been wondering if my snails would be better in the wild??? Please reply as I don't know what to do!
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snaileyhammy
Achatina tincta
Hi I am Hammy! I adore snails and slugs.
Posts: 550
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Post by snaileyhammy on Jul 10, 2021 14:37:32 GMT
Hello! I’m so sorry to hear this. First make sure they are mites and not springtails, m.youtube.com/watch?v=N-cd7GG2mEM. You will want to dump your whole tank out and use sterilized substrate, etc, only. (Ex. Coconut fiber, bought plants.) then wash your whole tank in warm water. You will need to clean often and bath your snails every day. You can also buy Hypoaspis miles, mites that will kill the bad mites (aka Riccardoella limacum.) These few things I have told you will help you get rid of these mites, I can give you more info later. The mites may have come from the moss you have them. Just remember to sterilize anything you use from outdoors. I hope this helped!
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snaileyhammy
Achatina tincta
Hi I am Hammy! I adore snails and slugs.
Posts: 550
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Post by snaileyhammy on Jul 10, 2021 14:48:34 GMT
Oh also, make sure you do the cleaning and bathing every day. You can just buy the predatory mites and add them to the tank. Your snail also may have been estivating, so make sure you keep your tank nice and humid. I hope things get better!
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Post by SuspiciousBagel on Jul 10, 2021 15:21:15 GMT
As snaileyhammy said, just check they are snail mites. But yeah, your best bet is to get some Hypoasis mites (if you're in the UK or Ireland www.dragonfli.co.uk/products/predatory-mite-hypoaspis-miles these are the ones I use) and sterilizing anything new coming into the tank. For future reference, try amending your conditions instead of peeling of the estivation layer as this can hurt them. I've read estivation can also be caused by pests in the tank so if your humidity and temperatures are correct they'll probably also be causing that. Lastly, make sure if you bathe them to ensure the water can't reach their breathing holes! P.S: How did your eggs go?
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