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Post by mbanica on Jun 18, 2009 18:38:34 GMT
i'm a beginner GALS owner and i'm still learning. sorry if this is a repeat thread!
i see around snailie little pin-point red mite-looking insects that run around very quickly.
how worried should i be about the little guys? Hermann is happy, eats like a piggy (though he's not the most active little dude i've ever seen). i've read about various types of mites, but none that were described as red. his substrate is a mix of garden soil and store-bought soil, both sterilized.
thanks!
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jacqui
Achatina fulica
Posts: 6
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Post by jacqui on Jun 18, 2009 19:38:10 GMT
Hi
Do you know, just this week I have found these little red mites in my tank. I have no idea what they are (sorry!), but so far don't seem to be hurting or annoying the snails. I use coir as my substrate, not soil, so they can't be coming from that if we both have spotted them. Maybe its a seasonal thing, only happening in the summer? (I too am a beginner so don't know much about mites!).
It will be interesting to see if anyone more experienced with snails has any ideas about them.
Jacqui
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Jun 18, 2009 23:35:22 GMT
Hi mbanica, welcome to the forum.  I'm not sure what they might be. I've not heard of any snail mites that are red. Bird mites and plant mites, yes, but not snail mites. Have you put new plants in the tank recently? Do you also keep birds? |
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goonius
Achatina achatina
All your cuttle, is belong to me, Ralph!
Posts: 45
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Post by goonius on Jun 20, 2009 10:44:52 GMT
Chickens get red mites, they're red, as the mite sucks the blood of the hen. As a result the hen will look jaundiced. There is powder available for use on hens (I have no clue about if it's safe on snails). I suggest doing as you would do if your snail had normal mites... If you do keep hens (possibly the source of these red mites in the snail tanks), time for a clean out in the perch/ nesting box area, with liberal ammounts of anti mite powder, and installing a dustbath (tray of play sand) in the run. Also a disinfect with a product called "poultry shield" in the hen house/ run will help |
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Jun 20, 2009 18:34:14 GMT
Snail blood is greenish, so mites feeding on snails won't be able to turn red from snail blood.
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goonius
Achatina achatina
All your cuttle, is belong to me, Ralph!
Posts: 45
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Post by goonius on Jun 22, 2009 12:32:28 GMT
Snail blood is greenish, so mites feeding on snails won't be able to turn red from snail blood. thus eliminating one type of mite... leaving thousands of others haha |
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Rachel
Archachatina puylaerti
They see me snailin'
Posts: 1,183
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Post by Rachel on Jun 22, 2009 17:03:40 GMT
sounds like those little red mites that live in wild moss sometimes, full tank cleanout and warm shower for the snails should shift em.
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Post by mbanica on Jun 24, 2009 19:26:29 GMT
Thanks guys. I don't keep hens (i wish  but i think the little red guys may have come from the bark that I picked from the park and forgot to bake before putting in his tank (i only washed it and sun dried it, how silly of me!). I cleaned everything out and put brand new substrate in, new moss, and a nice, clean snail. He's happier now, it seems and I'm definitely happy to see him mite-free! Thanks everyone! |
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Jun 25, 2009 5:43:00 GMT
Glad he's mite-free! |
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but i think the little red guys may have come from the bark that I picked from the park and forgot to bake before putting in his tank (i only washed it and sun dried it, how silly of me!). I cleaned everything out and put brand new substrate in, new moss, and a nice, clean snail. He's happier now, it seems and I'm definitely happy to see him mite-free!