Mites and Molting emergency

[kristalotto]

Hi - Ive one hermit crab that I've had for 10yrs. He is molting and has been for longer than normal - like 4 weeks. Yesterday I noticed there were mites in his food and I'm freaking out! Do I check to see if the crab is alive and if he is (praying he is), that I move him so I can kill the mites? I've taken out much of the sand and have baked it at 350 for 40 minutes. Any advise would be awesome!

[wodesorel]

Mites on food are not the same kind that bothers crabs. Most crabitats will have them, they are wood/grain/food mites and are found in our homes. The crab tank offers them ideal conditions and a food source so they move in, too. Nothing to panic over!

[kristalotto]

Thank you - ok - so I should not move the crab out of his molting space? Right?

[fandt94]

Thank you - ok - so I should not move the crab out of his molting space? Right?

Nope leave it be

[curlysister]

Do not dig him up - there is lots of time he might still be down for. If you have had him for 10 years, he must be pretty large. I have had my crabs for 8 years, and they recently molted for over 3 months!

[crabby33]

I agree with Curly. Don’t dig up your crab. One of my crabs just dug down for her molt and I don’t expect her to be back up until December or January at least and she’s a medium. My male is also going to be burying soon too.