removing dust mites

<p>HI guys, quick question. I inherited a Hasselblad 500c/m from a friend which had dust mites (he didn't take good care of his equipment) by sharing the same camera bag briefly my Mamiya RZ also has them, in the camera body, primarily on the focussing screen and not in the lens thankfully. I think have solved the problem with the Hassy by freezing it for 24hrs, but I'm loathe to do the same with the Mamiya due to the electronics, has anyone had a similar problem and solved it?</p>

<p>thanks</p>

<p>Damian</p>

<p>You shouldn't have a problem freezing the RZ. Just be mindfull of condensation, perhaps bag it in a zip loc with some raw rice in it?<br>

.</p>

<p>I agree with Paul. Those cameras are made for use in cold too, but you must use the bag because the condensation will form on the bag until brought to room temp. Is there a cooler place you can bring it in between like garage or basement.</p>

<p>If you have the time, there is a relatively easy way. Simply seal the camera in a mite-proof plastic bag and leave it for 30 days or so. Most of these little arthropods have relatively short life spans and even shorter times over which they must reproduce or die, without issue. With time and isolation, the problem becomes self-limiting. The 30 day number is based on head lice, but mites can't be any longer, I would think.</p>

Freezing is just fine. Just put the thing in a air tight bag - as suggested - and put it in the freezer for a day. Leave it in the bag until the thing has warmed up again.

<p>A ziploc baggie and a small piece of dry ice, 24 hours later the mites are asphyxiated. This method works even with electronics that are not cold-tolerant.<br>

Leave it at room temperature and the bag will fill with CO2 which will kill any and all insect life.</p>