tinsy winsy fast moving grey spider things in wood chips

kattcottrell · « **on:** August 08, 2008, 16:15 »

Hiya, we've just bought a couple of bags of wood chips from B&Q and on getting it out of the car noticed hundreds and hundreds of these minute super fast spidery insect things crawling all over the bags and inside as well, they really are super tiny, i've left the bags outside for now as I'm not sure what they are and don't want to introduce them to my hens, they're inside the car now too, does anyone know what they are??

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:21 »

:shock: they could be red mites (befor feeding on your chooks they will be grey)

Stick your hand in and see if they bite you

kattcottrell · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:25 »

hehehe thanks Auntie, that was what I was afraid of, driving home my hands felt itchy like i've been playing with fibreglass but not sure if it was just the thought of them or that I had been bitten, if it was red mite would they be so super fast and out running around in the day time?

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:29 »

Quote from: "kattcottrell"

, if it was red mite would they be so super fast and out running around in the day time?

Dunno, Which bit of the car were they in ?

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:33 »

They will run around in the day time if they have been disturbed because they panic! but what on earth would they be doing in bags of wood shavings? But sounds like red mite to me too Katt. You should complain wholeheartedly to B&Q and get rid quick before they get near your chooks!!

kattcottrell · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:33 »

I put the bags on the back seat, I have to admit to seeing them while loading the car but only a few on the plastic wrapping, wasn't till I was getting the bags out of the car that I noticed there was hundreds of the little blighters :x

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #6 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:36 »

They feed at night but perhaps as you'd disturbed them they woke up and smelt their dinner - you

kattcottrell · « **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:42 »

Oh god I bet they're running all over the car, had a closer look and they definately look super suspicious, hope I haven't done too much damage already, the bags are out of the garden now but how many may have dropped off I dont know, I've never seem them before but can't believe how fast these things are :shock:

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #8 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:47 »

Try some fly spray in your car :!: (Too small for a picture I suppose)

And definitly complain to B&Q :evil:

richyrich7 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:50 »

There are lots of other creatures that live in decaying wood and compost spring tails etc they all hate the light it dries them out or leaves the open to predators, just bung your hand in for a couple of minutes if they are mites then you will soon know, I'd bet money there not though.

kattcottrell · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:51 »

yep, just went out with the camera and even on macro I couldn't get a clear picture, on the bright side

I'd better get my OH out to do the poo picking and put them to bed tonight just incase there's some on me, wouldn't want any to drop off me now would I

no but seriously I am quite concerned now, i'll be giving B&Q a peice of my mind

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:51 »

They could certainly be some other type of insect.

kattcottrell · « **Reply #12 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:53 »

Quote from: "richyrich7"

There are lots of other creatures that live in decaying wood and compost spring tails etc they all hate the light it dries them out or leaves the open to predators, just bung your hand in for a couple of minutes if they are mites then you will soon know, I'd bet money there not though.

I'm not sticking my hand it, just moving the bags out of the garden and there were some running up my arms yukk!!

kattcottrell · « **Reply #13 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:54 »

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"

They could certainly be some other type of insect.

I really don't think its worth taking the chance though, I won't be using it, thanks for all the advice guys

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #14 on:** August 08, 2008, 16:54 »

Can you see them well enough to draw a picture and scan it !

:roll: What am I like - daft idea :roll:

Wood chips for run - which ones and where can I buy them? Started by Dickie73 on The Hen House	5 Replies 4914 Views	October 04, 2010, 07:21 by joyfull
Wood/Bark chips Started by slowef on The Hen House	2 Replies 2433 Views	May 26, 2007, 21:11 by Aunt Sally
wood chips for floor or run? Started by Under The Hill on The Hen House	10 Replies 5238 Views	September 09, 2014, 19:35 by Honey65
Wood chips stained red from B&Q for chicken run Started by Amy6 on The Hen House	3 Replies 2534 Views	June 21, 2010, 23:12 by Amy6