In: General

Summary by Stacy GriffithDespite the name, hermit crabs are not solitary creatures. They live in large communal colonies of other hermit crabs and they are host to other species that attach to shell of the hermit crab, bore into the shell or live within the central cavity (lumen) of the shell. Discussed here are symbionts that live on, within or bore into shells worn by hermit crabs. Land hermit crabs can harbor nine species of mites that attach to the gills. Addition of note are polychaete worms that bore into the shells of hermit crabs. 35% of hermit crab shells in the Phillipines may containRead More →

In: General

originally written by Jedediah and updated by Stacy Griffith It is impossible to completely rid your home of insects. https://www.wired.com/2016/01/just-give-up-its-impossible-to-bug-proof-your-home Tip: Need to identify a bug? Place it in a cup of water so you can take a clear photo of it or use a magnifying glass to inspect it. Insects Insects have six legs and three body parts that are usually clearly visible, the head, the thorax (the breast) and the abdomen. Most of them have wings, although those might not be clearly visible, some insects can hide them in a sort of pouch on their back (like earwigs) and some insects have noRead More →

In: FAQ

Originally written by Vanessa Pike-Russell-Updated by Stacy Griffith Common Name/Scientific Name Dust Mites – House Dust Mite Dermatophagoides sp. “Dust mites are microscopic, small enough to live inside the weave and fibers of your clothing, bedding carpet and such. They don’t actually bite they are waaay to small .. they actually live on the skins flakes we shed. When people have problems with dust mites it is because they are actually allergic to the proteins in their saliva and excrement! So there is precious little on a hermit crab to attract or sustain a dust mite. Grain Mites – Grain Mite Acarus siro L. “StoredRead More →