Can mites survive in a mailed postcard?

DrDukePHD

Well-Known Member
Let's say a friend has a mite problem & sends you a few seeds in a card via the mail. You get it 4 days later. How long would you quarantine that card? Or would you even bother.

How long can a mite (or other pest) survive without food & water?
 

CaliRootz88

Well-Known Member
The likely hood of eggs or mites themselves being on the seeds is slim to none but… You could throughly inspect said seeds with a jewelers loop. And washing the seeds before germination as a precaution. You can never be too paranoid with “mites”. They are a pain in the ass to get rid of. Just speaking about them makes me want to spray my plants at lights out lol!
 

DrDukePHD

Well-Known Member
I'd open it outside on a plate, then pick the seeds out and burn the card. And wash the plate
Well I opened it in my kitchen, tossed the envelope in trash... then the card/seeds went in a ziplock. I figure the chances are 1 in 1,000,000 anyways. The person is a killer/respected grower... so it's definitely not an out of control situation he's dealing with. I just hate bugs & germs LoL ;-) I like your method though, that's my protocol going forward!
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Well I opened it in my kitchen, tossed the envelope in trash... then the card/seeds went in a ziplock. I figure the chances are 1 in 1,000,000 anyways. The person is a killer/respected grower... so it's definitely not an out of control situation he's dealing with. I just hate bugs & germs LoL ;-) I like your method though, that's my protocol going forward!
You could soak the seeds in H2O2 mix before you use them to be extra safe, but it's probably totally fine without.
 

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
They can crawl into walls and crevices, and hang out for months. Right through your recepticals and into light fixtures, etc.

Even if you shut down for 2-3 months, without a any plants or equipment around, and clean everything good.. they can crawl right back out of hibernation and start up again.

:twisted:
 

DrDukePHD

Well-Known Member
They can crawl into walls and crevices, and hang out for months. Right through your recepticals and into light fixtures, etc.

Even if you shut down for 2-3 months, without a any plants or equipment around, and clean everything good.. they can crawl right back out of hibernation and start up again.

:twisted:
Hibernation? Wtf
 

Creature1969

Well-Known Member
Males live 3 days without food, females up to 11 days. Eggs produce a protein shell that can sustain them for months in a colder environment.
Kept in a warm, dry environment with no food source, everything will die in a few weeks.

Doubt there's anything on the seeds.
 
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