Tom, congrats on catching 7. That’s more than I’ve caught with my DRST recently. They do expire more quickly during the hot season. Since you have it somewhat enclosed they might live longer. Sometimes they live longer than other times. I was worried about mites too but people insist that you cannot get them from birds. I’ve been in this hobby for years and have never heard it happen. But my skin does crawls afterwards…..psychologically.
Tammy