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Post by Vida on Feb 9, 2008 21:37:03 GMT
As I was giving my snails a bit of non-alcoholic beer today and just generally holding them and bathing them, I noticed really, extremely, small white dots, smaller than a dot, moving on them, about two or three on each. I just squashed it with my finger and bathed the snails and showered the little one.
Are these mites? I mean, they are so tiny, if I hadn't held the snails right up to my eyes, I wouldn't have seen them, and I have good eyesight. I am now worried. I have read that the only way to get rid of mites is by introducing other mites...but I doubt I could get them here, I have no idea of the name in spanish and don't want any more living organisms in there either.
Before I start freaking out and cleaning all the soil again and the tank again and bathing the snails every day, rather than every other day, which is what I do now, I really would like to know if these are the white mites I have heard of.
I also have those little tiny annoying flies and little black...I don't know, like the white ones.
What can I do, that is not adding the other mites?
Thanks.
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Post by kab on Feb 9, 2008 21:44:42 GMT
i would start by washing all the snails and changing the substrate if you dont want to use hypoasis mites , i too have the black flies i call them fruit flies they drive me crazy ,i have some of those fly zapper machines and fly papers that helps with those but before you go do what i suggest i would wait till kevin pops on he may have some better ideas
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Post by AlienSnail on Feb 9, 2008 21:49:11 GMT
Oh goodness. Well it sounds like the pest mites to be honest. And the best way6 IS to introduce Hypoaspis Miles. The name may well be the same in Spain, but you could try looking up sciarid fly control.
Otherwise the only other thing is to bath them and completely change the soil, wash the ornaments etc, but they can hide in the snail shell, so are hard to get rid of.
They are more of a threat to baby snails than adults.
I'm sorry Vida, I don't know how you will get rid of them without trying either of these two methods.
Sorry Karen, you replied while Iwas typing mine xxx
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Post by kab on Feb 9, 2008 21:56:54 GMT
vida if you decided to use hypoasis and cant get them in spain or get them shipped to you lmk and i will help you , like aliensnail says they can really affect your snails quite badly , washing /and entire clean out will help for now though
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Post by Vida on Feb 9, 2008 22:27:36 GMT
I have been looking around on the internet. I think I have found them in Spain, but only in really dodgy stores that cultivate pot! The only "serious" store I have found, doesn't sell them online and is on the other side of Spain! The reason I didn't want to introduce any more mites, is because I'm allergic to mites. I had five years of injections and I am worried about introducing them in my flat. But if it's the only way to help the snails, I will do it. Do any of you have a link of an english online store that I can buy from? And thanks for the offer Karen, I might have to take you up on it if they don't send them to spain.
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Post by AlienSnail on Feb 9, 2008 22:42:16 GMT
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Post by Vida on Feb 9, 2008 23:13:50 GMT
Thanks. Only one of those serve overseas and ask for email contact first, so I have sent an email to ask. If I have any problem, I will let you know.
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Post by Vida on Feb 10, 2008 17:43:50 GMT
Ok, emptied everything out.
Washed the tank three times, put new coir in, took out the log, took the plants out of the pots, washed them leaf by leaf and the roots, planted them in the coir, bathed the snails, got all the white mites I saw, about two or three on each snail, set up a completely new tank for the smallest snails, their homes are now cleaner than mine and am waiting to hear back about the Hypoaspis Miles.
Keep checking the snails, all clean so far.
What can I do whilst I wait?
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Post by kab on Feb 10, 2008 20:15:39 GMT
wash the snails daily /twice daily that will help ;D
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Post by Vida on Feb 10, 2008 20:50:20 GMT
Thanks, I will.
The lady answered me about the Hypoaspis but she is worried in case they won't survive the journey. Waiting to hear if she will send them or not.
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Post by kab on Feb 10, 2008 23:29:44 GMT
Thanks, I will. The lady answered me about the Hypoaspis but she is worried in case they won't survive the journey. Waiting to hear if she will send them or not. can they not find out what the cost would be for a quicker delivery for you , im sure there must be a fast way to send , fingers crossed they sort something out for you
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Post by Vida on Feb 11, 2008 14:00:28 GMT
Have been washing the snails: 1st Bath: 3 out of 4 snails with mites (Tiger is the only one I can't see has any) 2nd Bath: 2 out of 4 snails 3rd Bath: 1 out of 4 snails
Is this normal...or are the little ******** hiding well and I can't see them?
Karen, I did ask for the price for express air service, but she hasn't answered. At this rate it will be over a week before I get it. (sigh)
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Post by kab on Feb 11, 2008 20:59:10 GMT
Have been washing the snails: 1st Bath: 3 out of 4 snails with mites (Tiger is the only one I can't see has any) 2nd Bath: 2 out of 4 snails 3rd Bath: 1 out of 4 snails Is this normal...or are the little ******** hiding well and I can't see them? Karen, I did ask for the price for express air service, but she hasn't answered. At this rate it will be over a week before I get it. (sigh) i think they go inside the breathing hole so no, you wont always see them ,but you are doing everything right . if you havent heard from her soon vida and you want me to help lmk ,
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Post by Vida on Feb 11, 2008 21:13:03 GMT
I am going to phone tomorrow. If they don't send them, I will send you a pm Karen. Thanks so much.
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Post by Vida on Feb 12, 2008 12:52:42 GMT
Ok, they are sending them today and I should get them on Friday hopefully. I am still bathing the snails twice a day, although I can only see the mites on one.
Once the hypoaspis are here, what do I do? Do I just chuck them all in? Or a few? On the snails? Or on the coir? How long do they last for?
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