HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Y'all.....
I have thousands of tiny white bugs crawling around all over the sub and cork bark, food dishes, etc. They're even between my water bowls!! I'm assuming they're all baby isopods. I've tried scooping out cups of sub and dumping it into a tote, but they're still multiplying. I only see them when I stop and focus in, so it's not like an obvious issue... but it's getting there.
Help??

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Can you post a picture of them?

If they look like sesame seeds they’re harmless food mites.


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They're very tiny, so I can't get a picture. I'm not sure what food mites look like because I dont think I've ever had any, but these were in my 55 as well so I'm just assuming they're baby isopods. They're almost microscopic, you have to focus to see them. They're all over the sub mostly.
Does anyone have any recommendations? I can't keep scooping out sub, I'm losing depth for molting space.

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If they're food mites you can just leave them be. They don't bother the hermit crabs and typically come back even after cleaning.
You can tell the difference because food mites look like this:

While baby isopods look like this (you may need to zoom in slightly):


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I spoke with another Hca member, she said they look like springtails and I shouldn't be worried.
I dont see any issues with the crabs, they dont look bothered, so I guess it's all okay.

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Just curious what the outcome was?

Those are food mites, not springtails.

GotButterflies wrote:Those are food mites, not springtails.

I think I'm confused with food mites and springtails. What's the difference? They're both harmless though right? Thanks!

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Both are harmless You can see the link that I provided to show you the difference in looks up close. Springtails look more like bowling pins. They also jump, which is why you will find them floating in the water Food mites can come in different colors.

On the red piece is food mites. On the wood is baby isopods

GotButterflies wrote:Both are harmless You can see the link that I provided to show you the difference in looks up close. Springtails look more like bowling pins. They also jump, which is why you will find them floating in the water Food mites can come in different colors.

Thanks so much! I always thought they were the same thing! I think I might have had food mites when I first started crabbing years ago because they didn't hop. Thanks again.

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