What are the little bugs in my tarantula's cage?

Question

I use coconut fibre as a substrate. There hasn't been any food left in the cage. The bugs look like little white mites or something... Where do they come from? Are they harmful to my spider?(G. Rosea) What can I do about them? Please help!

Answer 1

http://www.tarantulas.com/care.asp
http://atshq.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1001

Try these two sites. Parasites can be deadly for your tarantula. I hope there is useful info here for you.

Answer 2

In that case, you shouldn't be using that kind of substrate! Coconut fiber is very hard to keep free of parasites. Those little mites could be dangerous to the health of your Spidey. I would suggest switching to a different, cleaner substrate as soon as you can. Sorcergeek (above) also has some great advice if it would be more convienient for you to not change to a different substrate.

(Plain old newspaper or shredded paper actually works much better and doesn't contain any parasites or harmful ingredients. It's also very cheap. The only bad thing is that it isn't very attractive.) Potting soil is a very good substrate to use, it holds moisture and it allows for burrowing. Also, a combination of peat moss, sand, and commercial potting soil (be certain that there are no pesticide or chemical additives) is an excellent and versatile substrate. Tarantulas do not do well with the ornamental sand that is often used with reptiles. Some require a high level of humidity that can not be accomplished using sand and many tarantulas burrow and this is not possible in sand. Warning: There is new evidence that some commercial grade vermiculite may contain harmful levels of asbestos-like substance. This substance has been implicated in causing serious lung disease in humans.

Answer 3

Tarantula Cage

Answer 4

You have mites. They probably hopped a ride home from the pet store on a cricket. They are VERY harmful and will feed on your spider eventually killing him.
Take spidey out. Put him somewhere safe.
Pour a gallon of bleach and hot water in the cage and everything in it. Put it somewhere it won't stink too much. Wait a day.
Pour everything out outside and rinse it off until the bleach smell is gone.
Clean all the substrate out and replace it with new stuff. The caves and rocks and whatever else can stay as long as they've been soaked and rinsed off.
Put Spidey back.
He might have some still embedded in his fuzz depending on how bad they were. You might have to take a little piece of flea collar (an inch or so), put it in a small container with holes in it so the collar with breathe through the air, but Spidey won't be able to get a hold of it or chew on it, and leave it in his cage with him. Try to get rid of them before doing this as your have to be careful with the dosage or you can affect Spidey's nervous system.

Answer 5

They are probably small mites that feed on the coconut but there are mites that feed on spiders too - and they may look alike for all I know. I'd suggest talking to someone who is familiar with spider husbandry.

A website on hermit crab care suggests microwaving coconut fiber on high for 30 sec to kill mites.

Answer 6

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These are called mites,the bane of tarantula keepers everywhere. I'm afraid the only way that I know of to treat your spider is to manually remove the mites with tweezers and magnifying glass. Once you have it mite free change the substrate after washing the terrarium(cage,housing,enclosure..). Also wash all structures,hides and drinking bowls. The sooner this is done the better as they do effect your spider's health.

Answer 7

The nat is a parricide, sucking the spiders fluids. Remove it at once.

Answer 8

sounds like mites

Answer 9

Probably not baby spiders. They would be black. If they are not biting your spider they are probably harmless.

Answer 10

Baby spiders???