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Well guys, it's bad news. My relatively new paludarium setup has spider mites.
The mites are reddish brown, 1/32", look identical to photos of such mites, and there are small webs in a few areas. I can tell the webs are not mycelium, as they are much finer, identical to a spider's irregular web where the silk is strung across at elevated angles, not in contact with the substrate. They have recently appeared in greater numbers (along with several other insect species).
I am devastated because I spent so much time, energy, and money on this build, only to have it infested with such a destructive insect. Additional bad news is that I do not have any type of animal which could feed on and help reduce the numbers of the mites. The good news is, I don't have any animals in the tank, so * maybe * that gives me some options for treatment? I doubt any treatment will work though, due to the significant amount of very deep hiding areas in the wood, plants, substrate, background, etc. I am fairly certain it's all doomed.
Is there anything I can do, any hope at all?
ps. Yes, I did search the forum for other posts. I'd like to get fresh advice, especially since my build is different than a PDF viv, and has no animals currently.
I am devastated because I spent so much time, energy, and money on this build, only to have it infested with such a destructive insect. Additional bad news is that I do not have any type of animal which could feed on and help reduce the numbers of the mites. The good news is, I don't have any animals in the tank, so * maybe * that gives me some options for treatment? I doubt any treatment will work though, due to the significant amount of very deep hiding areas in the wood, plants, substrate, background, etc. I am fairly certain it's all doomed.
Is there anything I can do, any hope at all?
ps. Yes, I did search the forum for other posts. I'd like to get fresh advice, especially since my build is different than a PDF viv, and has no animals currently.