mites?

[DartfrogDan]

I've noticed what seem to be mites in my dart frog vivarium,they are an orangy brown colour and seem to be different sizes so they may be breeding?.the only way i could think they have gotten in is when i put some springtails in.are the safe to just leave in or will the harm the darts or the springtails?thanks

[beyond colour]

Mites are often a common problem with fruit fly and springtail cultures. They probably got inside the viv. when feeding either one of them. I would think they were breeding in the cultures not the viv. They will provide the frogs with a "Little" snack (lol could resist.) If they are in the cultures they can cause a lot of problems for the culture and eventually end in a culture crash if not kept in check. If they are in your fruit fly cultures the best way to keep them in check is to never keep cultures older than 4 weeks. When making new cultures always start with a new hatch and avoid dumping the flies inside instead gently tilt the container and tap them in avoiding the debris from the bottom of the culture. Not sure about springtail cultures i have never had a problem.

[DartfrogDan]

thanks,I haven't noticed them in the cultures but i have them on anti-mite paper and will keep an eye on them,and if they wont do any harm im not very worried about them in the vivarium.

[beyond colour]

I have never heard of them doing any harm in the viv. you should be fine. The only problem they cause in cultures is they reproduce so so so many that they out compete the springs and flies for food and they starve causing the culture to crash.

[DartfrogDan]

i will keep an eye on them and hopefully the mite paper will work

[beyond colour]

The mite paper will help keep them out of your cultures but if they are inside already it doesnt help. Best of luck with them. The only problem i ever had with them was when i received new cultures that already had them.