Re: Book Lice!!!
Found this on another post:
MITES:
Small white to tan bugs, resemble lice that will crawls upon your hermit crab and within the tank. Infestation can happen quickly and without warning. Mites are normally brought in on new crabs that were not fully inspected or bathed. Also they are attracted to our hermit crab homes because they are both warm and humid and have free water and food.
It is very important that you get rid of the mites at the first sign of them before things get out of hand. They do reproduce with in the tank and will eventaully kill your crabs. Below you will find some steps on getting rid of mites in your crabs tank and off of your Hermit Crabs.
Remove all Hermit crabs and place into a hermie safe container.
Remove all tank decorations, including climbing things, rocks and wood and dishes. AND EXTRA SHELLS!
Remove and throw away ALL substrate.
All tank decorations at this point should be rinsed well with tap water, preferably outside under a hose with pressure. Then, dip in the same type of salt water you give your crabs, but a bit stronger then…
Bake at 250-300 degrees for 30 minutes or until either dry or steaming
Boil at a rolling boil for 15 minutes at least
Microwave on high until steaming 2-3 minutes
The tank must be completely rinsed and washed. The best solution that we have found is very hot water, 1 cup or two of vinegar and sea salt. Scrub the tank on all sides, inside and out. Rinse and then re-scrub.. Rinse one time more and allow to dry, using either towels or the air.
You may now inspect the tank to see if there are any small or tiny crawling insects. If not then you may re-set the tank, using brand new unopened substrate and the now sterilized and clean decorations that are also DRY.
The Hermit crabs will need a bath now… this in one of the only time a bath in needed.
Make a de-chlorinated salt water solution and place it into a big bowl. One by one inspect each crab and then dip and bathe the crab. Turn it over and allow bubbles to come out, the water fills the shell and flushes out any mites. Allow that crab to dry as you go to the next crab.
Change the water, making it fresh and repeat the process until you find NO signs of mites, it may take up to 4 actual dips before they are gone.
Allow the crab to dry and then place them into their home. Hopefully they are gone, but if not you have to repeat this process because mites are deadly and will eventually kill your crabs.
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