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Hermit Crab Mites

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Hermit Crab Mites - Say Good-bye Forever!

 

Getting rid of Hermit Crab Mites can be done both quickly and easily.  Preventing hermit crab mites from returning is also possible. 

Following the steps below will make sure your pet lives a long and healthy life!

Hermit Crab Mites Poll

Help! How Did I Get Those Nasty Mites!

Many folks are very careful about cleanliness with their pets. I know I try to keep Joey the Claw's living space spotless! So how do the mites get into our crabitats?

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Are Hermit Crab Mites Harmful?

Some Micro-organisims Provide Useful Functions - Others May Lead to Death

There are small organisms that form symbiotic relationships with hermit crabs. Some provide useful functions to the crustaceans while others are harmful. Hermit crab mites can be harmful to your pet and cause disease resulting in lost appendages and possible death.

Hermit Crab Mites Removal

Give Your Pet A Full Immersion Bath

The following instructions explain how to give your pet crab a full immersion bath:
  1. Place the hermit crab upside down in the bath water to remove all the air bubbles.
  2. Bathe your pet once in the water (rightside up)
  3. Let your pet dry naturally.
  4. Repeat the proceedure several times - about four should be sufficient.
  5. Make sure to pour the water out of the bath before removing your hermit crab because the mites tend to float on top of the water. You want to avoid getting them on your pet when removing it.

Tank Hermit Crab Mites Removal

Hermit Crab Mites Like to Hang Out in The Corners of Your Crabitat

Here are some helpful instructions for cleaning your "crabitat" or aquarium:
  • Throw out all the old infected substrate.
  • Next rinse the aquarium out with water.
  • For large aquariums you can use wet paper towels.
  • Make sure to rub over the entire tank area applying pressure to kill any mites.
    Be certain to clean the corners well as it's a great spot for mites to hang out.

Let's Remove Those Hermit Crab Mites

Hermit Crab Mites Removal From Substrate and Toys

Oh Yes The Mites Love Toys as Much as Your Pet!

The following are some helpful hints to remove the mites from the substrate and toys:
  1. The best method is to buy all new substrate.
  2. You can also sterilize the substrate.
  3. Pre-heat the oven to about 300 degrees F.
  4. Spread the substrate onto a cookie sheet to a depth of about half an inch.
  5. Bake for half an hour and then let cool.
  6. Repeat as necessary until the substrate is completely sterile.
  7. To sterilize extra shells, coral and other toys boil for about 5 minutes.
  8. Peices of wood can be microwaved or placed in a 300 degree oven for about 2 minutes.
  9. Be careful the wood doesn't catch fire.

Some Ideas To Prevent Hermit Crab Mites From Returning

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth A Pound of Cure

Once we know how to keep the hermit crab mites away it becomes easier to take care of our pets so they can lead a happy healthy life and we can enjoy them alot more!
  • Reduce the amounts of strong-smelling foods such as dried shrimp.
  • Don't leave fresh food offerings in the tank too long especially the food with strong odours.
  • Check the tank thoroughly because the crabs like to bury the food.
  • Remove crab droppings regularly.
  • Change drinking water regularly as the crabs like to use it to clean out their shells.
  • Replace any sponges that smell offensive.
  • Wipe down the tank regularly.

Hermit Crab Mite Guestbook

Helpful Tips For Other Crabby Owners! Oops!

Hey, do you own a land hermit crab? Have you ever had problems with hermit crab mites or other diseases?

Please share your experiences in the guestbook so we can help other owners take excellent care of their pets! Thanks a bunch!

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  • Reply
    Chantel L Jul 14, 2011 @ 3:20 pm | delete
    today i found mites all in and on my tank i had NO IDEA what to do. thank you for this info but i see im on a long road of cleaning and bathing my hermits. oh well i still love em
  • Reply
    steve staedt Jul 5, 2011 @ 1:31 am | delete
    My daughter's dresser is now infested with mites from her crabs. I've taken out all the clothes and crabs from the room. Been almost a week now and I am still finding them in her dresser. I've read they should be gone in 3 days or so. What is going on? Please help
  • Reply
    Help Oct 11, 2011 @ 7:35 pm | delete
    What did you do to get rid of the mites in her dresser? We have the same problem
  • Reply
    Jessie Stone May 23, 2011 @ 7:19 pm | delete
    i really wish i would have known this! ive had two hemit crabs die on me and i couldnt figure out why until i looked at a dead one today under a microscope and came to a disturbing conclusion. im so upset that i didnt know because i had six crabs and my two little ones have both died from mites although i cant be sure about the first one. they died months aapart but seemed to be having the same symptoms so i took a closer look today and their it was a nasty mite... thank you so much and i really hope that ur suggestions work for me!
  • Reply
    Kelly Collison Jan 5, 2011 @ 8:49 pm | delete
    Thanks so much! I found two little buggers in Marshmallow the crab's home, and did a major clean. Now he is a happy little crabby marshmallow once again and my son, whose pet he is, is resting easier.
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Extra! Extra! Hermit Crab Mite News! Read All About It!

Hermit Crab Mite News and Other Marvelous Stuff

Here are some blogs with more information on taking care of hermit crabs. Your pet deserves the best!
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Hermit_Crab_Care

Hermit Crabs have become really popular pets in recent years.

However, hermit crab mites can become a serious problem.

Not many owners know that... more »

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