Post by AlienSnail on Mar 16, 2008 8:50:25 GMT
Will edit typos and gramma later, in a rush right now and it shows - sorry...
Mites - what are they, what do they do, how do I identify them?
www.gireaud.net/us/ennemis_us.htm
Some way down this page are some of the best photos that I can find of the mites that naturally infest snails. (Riccardoella Limacum, though some say they only infest slugs, others say these infest snails and a different type infest slugs)
Wild snails often have these, and occasionally they may turn up on your pet snails.
They suck the blood from the lung cavity of the snail, which at best iritates the snail, and at worst kills it. The small and young snails suffer the most, as in they are more likely to die.
Controlling these mites isn't that difficult once you have identified them. The first thing you should do is order Hypoaspis Miles predatory mites (links to follow - though the one that springs to mind are http://www.defenders.co.uk).
These are often advertised as control for the Sciarid Fly Larvae, a nuisence to plant growers.
Whilst waiting for these to arrive bathe each snail thoroughly in warm gently running water and place somewhere clean.
Dispose of all soil in you snails's enclosure and thoroughly wash the tank and ornaments etc in hot water (do not use detergent)
Replace with new substrate, but be aware of where this substrate is coming from, as the snail may have caught the mites from the substrate you have been using. One substrate that will not have mites are expandable coir blocks, made from coconut fibers (though there are other good choices of substrate around).
Only use a thin layer of substrate.
Place the snails back in their enclosure and keep washing them every day.
Place your Hypoaspis Miles Mites in with the snails as soon as they arrive.
Mites - what are they, what do they do, how do I identify them?
www.gireaud.net/us/ennemis_us.htm
Some way down this page are some of the best photos that I can find of the mites that naturally infest snails. (Riccardoella Limacum, though some say they only infest slugs, others say these infest snails and a different type infest slugs)
Wild snails often have these, and occasionally they may turn up on your pet snails.
They suck the blood from the lung cavity of the snail, which at best iritates the snail, and at worst kills it. The small and young snails suffer the most, as in they are more likely to die.
Controlling these mites isn't that difficult once you have identified them. The first thing you should do is order Hypoaspis Miles predatory mites (links to follow - though the one that springs to mind are http://www.defenders.co.uk).
These are often advertised as control for the Sciarid Fly Larvae, a nuisence to plant growers.
Whilst waiting for these to arrive bathe each snail thoroughly in warm gently running water and place somewhere clean.
Dispose of all soil in you snails's enclosure and thoroughly wash the tank and ornaments etc in hot water (do not use detergent)
Replace with new substrate, but be aware of where this substrate is coming from, as the snail may have caught the mites from the substrate you have been using. One substrate that will not have mites are expandable coir blocks, made from coconut fibers (though there are other good choices of substrate around).
Only use a thin layer of substrate.
Place the snails back in their enclosure and keep washing them every day.
Place your Hypoaspis Miles Mites in with the snails as soon as they arrive.
YOU`RE FIRED ! ! 
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