White mites

After a short holiday, I came back to find two of my terrestrial tanks infested by white mites. The only problems I've ever had with these before were in fruit fly containers.

Both tanks have beechwood leaf litter substrate. I can't see any quantity of mites inside the tanks, and there's none on the juvenile newt occupants (T marmoratus and T. granulosa), but they were congregating in thousands around the top exterior of the affected tanks. This evening I took out the newts, dumped the whole contents and scalded out each tank. The tanks are now outside in torrential rain and I've put the newts on wet kitchen towel in two replacement tanks standing on 'mite paper.'

Will this solve the problem? Do the mites come from the leaf litter? Can they affect the health of my animals, or me--I have a damaged immune system? Or do they come from waxworm cultures? There are signs of infestation on two of my glass waxworm breeding containers. I've wiped the jars with Dettol surface cleaner and stood them on mite paper.

Sounds about right, as far as I know these mites are harmless

The mites can come with the leaf litter. Their are lots of kinds of mites and they probably were not bothering the animals. Many people do have mite allergies. Some types of isopods eat mites. I often seed tanks with isopods and springtails to help keep mites, mold, fungus, etc. down. It Mite be a good idea for you.

Are they mites? or springtails? I know I get blooms of springtails on occasion.

Thanks for your replies.

Both tanks do have springtails, but these are definitely mites--very like those you find in older fruit fly cultures.