How Entomite‑M Works in Bioactive Reptile Enclosures

Entomite‑M (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) is a soil‑dwelling predatory mite for bioactive reptile enclosures that controls soil pests and slows the spread of snake mites before they become a crisis. By intercepting eggs and early instars in substrate and reaching crevices and hardscape where mites hide, Entomite‑M helps prevent explosive population growth before or at the start of exposure (e.g., from feeder mice). This gives keepers critical time to remove the animal and sanitize the enclosure before snake mites overwhelm the reptile. Alongside this, Entomite_M can be used to assist deeep cleaning exposed material such as hardscape after a snake mite problem. After a clean out Entomite_M can be sprinkled on hardscape and any remaining surfaces to clean up an snake mite eggs harboring in nooks and crannies. Entomite_M does not replace proper sanitization, but it aids in ensuring that clean out is as effective as you & your animals need it to be. Entomite‑M targets fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, root aphids, and plant‑parasitic nematodes, while leaving isopods intact and curbing overactive springtail populations without eliminating them—helping maintain balance in the soil food web. 

What is Entomite‑M and how does it help in a bioactive enclosure?

Entomite‑M is a biological control product containing Stratiolaelaps scimitus, a generalist soil predator originally developed for horticulture and now a trusted solution in bioactive reptile setups. These predatory mites:

• Live in the top few centimeters of substrate.
• Are tiny (<1 mm), light brown, and fast‑moving.
• Remain soil‑bound—they do not climb plants or animals, making them ideal for enclosures where direct contact with reptiles is undesirable.

What problems does Entomite‑M control?

• Fungus gnat larvae (Bradysia spp.)
• Thrips pupae (soil stage)
• Root aphids
• Plant‑parasitic nematodes (egg and juvenile stages)
• Miscellaneous soil mites
• Springtails (moderated, not eliminated)
• Snake mite eggs and early instars (Ophionyssus natricis) in substrate

Snake mites: Soil Treatment

Snake mites are ectoparasites that spend part of their life cycle off‑host. Eggs and early instars often remain in substrate and enclosure crevices, creating reinfestation risk even after the reptile is treated.
Entomite‑M intercepts these environmental stages, reducing the chance of recurrence. Entomite-M should never be used in lieu of veterinary‑approved animal treatment (e.g., afoxolaner or other acaricides) instead it is meant as a preventative and after care for enclosures/clean-up.

Important: Entomite‑M is not a treatment for mites on the reptile itself. Always follow veterinary protocols for animal care.

How does Entomite-M work?

• Hunting zone: Upper soil layer and around plant bases.
• Behavior: Actively seeks out small, soft‑bodied prey in the substrate.
• Feeding: Consumes pest eggs, larvae, and pupae before they emerge as adults.

Environmental conditions for success

• Temperature: 59–86 °F
• Moisture: Prefers moist, airy substrate—not waterlogged or bone‑dry.
• Substrate: Works in coir, peat, compost, and most bioactive mixes.
• Light: No special requirements; mites remain in the soil layer.
  • Avoid extremes: flooding, freezing, or prolonged drought may diminish or destroy the population.

Application guidelines

• When to apply:
  • Preventively in all humid, organic‑rich enclosures.
• How to apply:
  • Sprinkle evenly across the substrate surface.
• Rates:
  • 100–500 mites per 10 sq ft. This equals a few table spoons of Entomite-M (10K)
• Frequency:
  • Reapply monthly.

Application Precautions
Severe overapplications of Entomite-M in moist substrate could result in a higher concentartion of mites than needed (although it is highly unlikely). If present in high quantities this could irritate your animals or enclosure. This population would be unable to sustain without ample food source and would dissapear over a few days to a week, however we recommend to avvoid overapplication and monitor changes in microflaura. Entomite-M recedes into the soil within the first day of application, the predatory mites should not be visible shortly after being applied.

Compatibility with bioactive custodians

• Moderates springtail populations if they’re booming, but does not eliminate them.
• Maintains the integrity of your soil food web while reducing pest pressure.
• Leaves isopods unaffected.

Quick reference: Entomite‑M at a glance