White crusty stuff growing on my beetle! Help!

[Acro]

As for controlling grain mites - indeed, the population of these can be reduced down to negligible levels when Hypoaspis is present. 

I have them circulating my enclosures, never seem to die out, between grain mites, fungus gnats and the several springtail species in my enclosures, they always have food available, and seem to cycle between crashes and booms in my collection. 

When I used predatory mites, I never had mite issues again.  And eventually the predatory mites died out leaving me with just a container of pure insects (of whatever I was breeding (roaches, beetles, etc.)).  Unless I brought in untreated leaves or new substrates and such, then mites returned cause they were brought in. 

If buying from a good company, they will sell different predatory mites that will do better in different conditions (for example: moist conditions vs. drier conditions).  I remember a great company based out of N.Y. but I can't remember their name. 

Good Luck Everyone! 

 

[Hisserdude]

When I used predatory mites, I never had mite issues again.  And eventually the predatory mites died out leaving me with just a container of pure insects (of whatever I was breeding (roaches, beetles, etc.)).  Unless I brought in untreated leaves or new substrates and such, then mites returned cause they were brought in. 

If buying from a good company, they will sell different predatory mites that will do better in different conditions (for example: moist conditions vs. drier conditions).  I remember a great company based out of N.Y. but I can't remember their name. 

Good Luck Everyone! 

I actually have two different predatory mite species in my enclosures, one is the common Hypoaspis which prefers moist enclosures, and I have another, glossier species that does best in my arid containers. They do a good job at eradicating mites from most of my enclosures, however for some reason, sometimes they just fail to keep certain enclosures grain mite free, even when they're present, and I don't know why. 

 

[Bugoodle]

They are all gone now!

 

[aspenentomology]

They are all gone now!

Congrats! Super glad to hear that.

 

[Dynastes TItyus hunter]

Awesome! 

 

[Bugoodle]

I think I know what the problem was in the first place. I recently checked my meal worm kibble and with closer inspection this time, and it was moving! I quickly threw that out. Luckly my sister has some with no mites in it, I just hope nothing hatches in this bag.