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I have purchased a 1/2 Liter which is the smallest they sell Biconet the total with shipping came to $40.98. There was also a question as to the food mites that are shipped with them. Here is the following letter that I stumbled on from someone that had the same concern and wrote the company to clarify.
The "food mite" included with the Hypoaspis is Tyrophagus putrescentiae, a common food mite. This mite is commonly found on cheeses, grains and other household foods. Tyrophagus is not a pest in reptile or invertebrate habitats.
The Hypoaspis will eat Tyrophagus or any other mite it can catch, so if you inadvertently introduce Tyrophagus to your cages along with the Hypoaspis, the Hypoaspis will likely consume the Tyrophagus to extinction while also consuming the Ophionyssus (snake mite).
There are only enough Tyrophagus in the Hypoaspis container to keep the Hypoaspis fed for 3-6 days. After a week in the container, the Hypoaspis will start to eat each other. Therefore, the Hypoaspis population in the container is increasing for the first few days after delivery, maybe a week. Thereafter, the population in the jar will decline. It is best to use the full container within two weeks.
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to write or call.
All the best,
Eric W. Acosta - Director
Biocontrol Network
Bio-rational Alternatives for an Ever Shrinking Planet
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