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cdd007
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
 Posted - 28/04/2009 : 18:55:31
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I recently noticed a few small black beetles about 3/4 of an inch long in my substrate, they have not come from me and must have snuck in in my new substrate, does anyone know what they are and if they pose a problem. Thanks |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 18:56:28
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Well they aren't snake mites, far too big, but you probably don't want them in there.
Is it Orchid bark? |
 
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dazb
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2847 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 18:59:08
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| are there black or brown-ish...? |
 
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Paulusworm
Fully Grown Royal
Azerbaijan
1550 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 19:07:01
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| can you get a pic of one posted? They could well just be Tenebrio spp but will need a picture to be certain. |
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MissCat
Fully Grown Royal
1971 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 19:57:02
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| why do you say "is it orchid bark?" BE? only i have just ordered some for my crb.... |
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matty18714
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2016 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 19:59:33
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| Dont worry Cat. Im sure it will be fine. I think BE was aiming at the fact that the beetles would show up better on aspen. |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 20:22:03
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| No, I was aiming at the fact that you seem to get a lot more in Orchid Bark than in other substrates. |
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dazb
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2847 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 20:30:35
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that is why wen using orchid bark you are advised to either freeze or bake it first. it is known for carrying bugs.
dont worry cat aslong as you do either freeze or bake it(i would personally bake it) it is fine... |
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matty18714
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2016 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 20:31:22
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| Really? I have never noticed that. Although now I think about it, it seems to be the most likly substrate that would carry nasties. |
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MissCat
Fully Grown Royal
1971 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 20:47:06
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| how long and at what temp should i bake it? :) |
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dazb
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2847 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 21:03:13
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according to our scientist...about 1 1/2 hours (90 mins)at 100-120*C, cos all life forms are water based it kills them cos water boils at 100*C...if i remember correctly.
am i right mr scientist... |
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Edited by - dazb on 28/04/2009 21:03:49 |
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Paulusworm
Fully Grown Royal
Azerbaijan
1550 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 21:55:24
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quote:
Originally posted by dazb
according to our scientist...about 1 1/2 hours (90 mins)at 100-120*C, cos all life forms are water based it kills them cos water boils at 100*C...if i remember correctly.
am i right mr scientist...
lol . It won't kill everything. Bacterial spores can still survive at those temperatures. It will kill most insects/arachnids though |
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dazb
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2847 Posts |
Posted - 29/04/2009 : 17:56:54
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ooooh forgot we had 2 scientists on here...
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 29/04/2009 : 18:44:20
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| I'm not sure it will kill any mite eggs either, I have been told that they can survive up to 160C, so would recommend that temp for an hour or so. |
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dazb
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2847 Posts |
Posted - 29/04/2009 : 19:07:48
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ok dont listen to me then... |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 29/04/2009 : 19:14:22
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| No, I agree with you, 99% will be killed at that temp. |
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dazb
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2847 Posts |
Posted - 29/04/2009 : 19:16:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Blackecho
No, I agree with you, 99% will be killed at that temp.
yay... |
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karl
Fully Grown Royal
1069 Posts |
Posted - 30/04/2009 : 15:15:46
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| or don't bother with orchid at all and buy eco earth?.............. |
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cdd007
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2009 : 09:45:05
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| Thanks for all your replies, and I can't get a pic as our camera is broke, and for those of you who know what mealworm beetles look like, then these ones look exactly the same. I haveanaged to remov most of te beetles but I can't get rid of l of them. I am not allowed to pt the substrat in he oven, is there any other way to get rid of the little nasties wthout having to pick through all of the substrate? |
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MissCat
Fully Grown Royal
1971 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2009 : 10:25:34
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why are you not allowed to put it in the oven......? i would *presume* that would be the only way? i guess you could soak the substrate in a part bleach/ part water solution just ,like you would when treating wood etc.... you'll have to wait for someone else to come on though and tell you if that's the case, and also the correct ratio of bleach:water.
apart from that all i can suggest is to buy more substrate.
cant for the life of me say why or how beetles got in your substrate though...... |
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lee2308
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2597 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2009 : 11:19:43
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| if your not allowed to bake it why not change to a differant type of substrate like aspen or hemp or beech chippings which dont need baking as there retty much bug free. |
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