What Are the White Bugs on My Hermit Crabs?

If you see white bugs on your hermit crab, you probably have a mite infestation on your hands. Mites are parasites and can vary in color ranging from tan, gray, black and even green. It is important to clean your hermit crab and sterilize its habitat immediately after discovering an infestation. Allowing the infestation to continue can result in your hermit crab losing a leg. It can even result in the death of your hermit crab.

  1. Causes

    • Mites are attracted to warm environments, as well as to food and water. Your hermit crab's cage provides all three of these needs. Mites lay eggs and multiply in your crab's habitat. Since the mites are so small, you sometimes do not realize there is an infestation right away.

    Treatment

    • Bathe your hermit crab in dechlorinated salt water. To do this, submerge your hermit crab in the water for up to a minute. Then lift the crab out of the water and pour new water over it. Be sure to use new water as mites will float in the water and try to reinfect your crab. Continue bathing your crab and inspect it carefully to make sure that all the mites are gone. Using a magnifying glass to inspect your crab is helpful.

    Santiation

    • Throw away the existing sand. If you do not want to throw it away, you can bake the sand in the oven until it is completely dry. Wipe down the entire surface of the tank with a wet cloth. Sterilize toys, dishes, extra shells and anything else that goes in the tank by boiling it in water for five minutes.

    Prevention

    • Keep an eye on your crab's habitat. Mites are attracted to strong-smelling food. Because of this, you should avoid feeding your crab too much shrimp or plankton. It is also important for you to clean your crab's habitat regularly. Hermit crabs tend to bury food in the sand, thus attracting more mites. Also change the water daily.