Mites

Use this forum to discuss general questions about any aspects of tortoise care.
Post Reply
Starsks
Posts: 25
Joined: 21 Jan 2020, 15:12

Mites

Post by Starsks » 24 Nov 2020, 15:36

Hi
Starsky and hutch are a year old now
I just cleaned the tortoises out put down 20 litres of fresh substrate , they were in the bath whilst I did this
Dried them put them by the fresh food and noticed hundreds of tiny mites over the shells !
I’m in a right panic !
The only thing I can see is some fruit flys around a dozen or less and we had some sticky fly papers there are quite a few on there
But they don’t eat fruit
I grow my own food mixed weeds , dandelions , and some lettuce
What are they please I’m horrified
Can anyone help ?

User avatar
Nina
Posts: 2003
Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22

Re: Mites

Post by Nina » 24 Nov 2020, 15:57

Just to clarify -- are the insects that you saw on the tortoises the same as the ones that have been caught on the fly paper? if they are then I don't think these are mites, as mites wouldn't fly up and get caught on your fly paper -- they stay on the skin of the animal.

Are they teeny tiny -- even a bit smaller than fruit flies? I think what you've got is fungus gnats. They are a real nuisance but do no harm and you can get rid of them with fly paper, because they do fly about, but they tend to stay close to where they are living, which is in damp soil. Was the substrate damp? Do you think that they appeared out of the fresh substrate (i.e. did you have them before the fresh substrate)? The only way to completely get rid of them is to not have any damp soil, but of course you don't want your substrate to be bone dry. I've had periodic infestations, and the fly paper seems to do a reasonable job of keeping them at bay. Hang it as close to the place were you think the gnats are living as you can (so like just above the table), without risking the tortoises getting stuck to it.

Here' something I just copied off the internet:
Fungus gnats are small flies that infest soil, potting mix, other container media, and other sources of organic decomposition. Their larvae primarily feed on fungi and organic matter in soil, but also chew roots and can be a problem in greenhouses, nurseries, potted plants and interior plantscapes.

Does that help? Let us know if you think it's something different.

Nina

Starsks
Posts: 25
Joined: 21 Jan 2020, 15:12

Re: Mites

Post by Starsks » 24 Nov 2020, 16:20

Dear Nina
Thank you for your quick reply I’ve been trying to up load a video but it’s not to be found on my phone when I try , do you have email I could forward it to as it has worked on email
I think the flys are different issue I was just thinking they could be the fly babies !
Thanks
Starsks

Starsks
Posts: 25
Joined: 21 Jan 2020, 15:12

Re: Mites

Post by Starsks » 24 Nov 2020, 16:57

I think someone has hacked your forum with porn

User avatar
Nina
Posts: 2003
Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22

Re: Mites

Post by Nina » 24 Nov 2020, 17:27

Yes, just email me at nina@thetortoisetable.org.uk and I'll do my best to ID them. The ones I see sometimes are really tiny, and a nuisance.

Nina

User avatar
Nina
Posts: 2003
Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22

Re: Mites

Post by Nina » 24 Nov 2020, 17:28

Yes, I've deleted it, and hopefully that will be the end of it . . . . . . .until the next one. Such a hassle. When we delete these posts, we also permanently ban the user and the user's IP addrress, but they keep coming back -- I think it's a common problem.

Nina

Starsks wrote:
> I think someone has hacked your forum with porn

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 30 guests