Hello all! Here's a little update on the 'Dutchies' I got from BC and how I've been experimenting with keeping them.
This first image shows my invertebrate space. The drawers are a setup for mealworms, the tall bin in the front are pink springtails (Sinella surviseta), and behind that are where my dutchies are (Stratiolaelaps scimitus).
The dutchie setup is in layers. From top to bottom; spaghnum for collecting and application of the mites, then the original soil mix where they breed, then a mesh to separate the springtail layers, then some leaf litter and cork for the isopods and springtails, then soil where the isopods and springtails breed and reside.
The mites will burrow downward towards their prey, rather than crawling upward towards the ventilation. The mesh just keeps the leaf litter and other large debris from mixing with the spaghnum.
Sometimes if I gently blow air over the surface of the spaghnum, I can see the mites crawling around. These days, most of them are deep in the container getting prey, but some days there's so many on the surface!
However, this experiment did not come without some hurdles. Initially I kept the mites and springtails separate, but then mold became an issue in the mite enclosure. This is because the spaghnum I used came as a dense, dry brick that had to first be soaked. While I did mostly dry it, spaghnum's ability to hold moisture means that there has to be something to help deal with it.
I removed the affected debris, then combined the two enclosures into one. I also added some powder orange isopods. In this way, the springtails serve multiple purposes; they are food for the mites while also acting as a cleanup crew to fight against molds, as that is what they eat, with the powder orange isopods as co-workers.
Personally, I would recommend using the tube that attaches to the cage to apply the mites, rather than scattering the raw material. I will see about acquiring a supply of these tubes.
Rather than whole spaghnum, I'm setting up a second enclosure that will use peat. It's still safe, but a bit less troublesome to measure, and the mites will be more inclined to reside in the peat than the whole spaghnum.
Sounds like the Reptisoil is a good medium. Hope your experience will pay off with mega mites produced!
Update: So far the new mite setup has been a success! I'm seeing lots of mites and lots of little baby ones too.
Someone had an emergency requiring pest control, so they've offered to be the 'guinea pig' for these mites. They weren't able to tell me the exact pest they have, only that they appear like a tiny black grain and are taking blood from the birds. Could be bird mites, could be fleas, could be a number of things.
I've given them two makeshift tubes filled with scimitus. I do not yet have a method of counting them, but I ensured there was a noticeably large cluster of them inside each one.
I will keep updating this thread so you can all stay informed on our local scimitus source!
NOTE: I do not yet have a large enough count of scimitus to start selling them in large amounts. What I can do, though, is put your name down for your requested amount. Then, when I am able to fulfill the amount, I can email or call you to let you know and ask if you would either pick them up or have them shipped. Just a heads up that it must be overnight shipping, which can be expensive, to ensure the mites don't expire before arrival. I am unable to drive.
Update:
So after a few months with the spaghnum, sadly the mites couldn't take to it very well, and it was only effective while considerably moist. Thankfully, I recently created a new setup using Reptisoil instead of spaghnum. Reptisoil contains entirely benign materials, and it's a very popular substrate for bioactive reptile terrariums.
It's only been a few days and I'm already seeing baby mites! They are incredibly small, but I was still able to see a few of them.
Below shows the setup, which is similar to the first. Dairy cow isopods are used instead of powder orange, just for some variety, but the springtails are the same type. These are also on Reptisoil with leaf litter and a piece of wood for the isopods. A sheet of mesh separates the two biomes