bugs in my chameleon plants...help!

[dindy]

i started to clean my chameleon cages today...started the first cage and noticed there was little bugs in the soul...little ones with wings i think... i threw that plant out but am worried there might be some in the other ones...and i have about 11 cages set up...it has not been that long since i have cleaned the cages...and i do take care of them well...with misting systems and all...now my question is...is there a pesticide spray or something i can use safely in conjunction with the chameleons without hurting them???? if not any suggestions???...im not sure any other cages have this yet but am assuming its possible as bugs travel especially right o the next cage....never seen this in the years before so just wondering...please help!

the plants i have are...umbrella...ficus...pothos...hibiscus

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I think we all deal with these.
Little black gnats .... I tried using some Super soil (organic) recently and with it came the newest infestation of them here.
One part Dawn dishwashing liquid to two or three parts water sprayed on the soil for several days in a row seems to be an effective and safe way to eradicate them, although, they lay eggs in the potting mix and there will be subsequent hatchings ... just repeat the process.
You should probably cover the soil with stones just to be extra safe. I don't think it would hurt your chameleons to ingest the soil with detergent on it, but better safe than sorry.
The gnats won't hurt your animals in any way, but they are really irritating.

-Brad

 

[dindy]

so this is normal....even if there seems like there hundreds??? i was just going to get new plants...but is this going to happen all the time....cause if it is i wont get new plants...thanks brad always helpin out!

 

[Brad Ramsey]

so this is normal....even if there seems like there hundreds???

THOUSANDS!!!
As I sit here at the computer I have killed at least 10 that have landed on the screen!

Don't replace your plants.

-Brad

 

[Brad Ramsey]

eleven.

-Brad

 

[sandrachameleon]

You'll get fungus gnats if the soil is constantly damp/wet. Let the soil dry out; larvae cannot survive in dry soil. Put a few inches of stones on top of the soil; the gnats will have trouble laying more eggs if they cant reach the dirt. Alternatively, beneficial predatory nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, and Heterorhabditis spp.) will eat/kill off fungus gnat larvae. You can get nematodes from nursaries, organic lawn care places, etc. Another option might be Hypoaspis, a common predatory mite of fungus gnats - but I personally dont enjoy the idea of introducing mites, no matter how inconspicuous, beneficial, and non invasive. Another option is Bacillus thuringiensis (or Bt) -a bacteria and is safe to use around children and pets but deadly to gnats.

 

[summoner12]

Thanks Sandra!

You'll get fungus gnats if the soil is constantly damp/wet. Let the soil dry out; larvae cannot survive in dry soil. Put a few inches of stones on top of the soil; the gnats will have trouble laying more eggs if they cant reach the dirt. Alternatively, beneficial predatory nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, and Heterorhabditis spp.) will eat/kill off fungus gnat larvae. You can get nematodes from nursaries, organic lawn care places, etc. Another option might be Hypoaspis, a common predatory mite of fungus gnats - but I personally dont enjoy the idea of introducing mites, no matter how inconspicuous, beneficial, and non invasive. Another option is Bacillus thuringiensis (or Bt) -a bacteria and is safe to use around children and pets but deadly to gnats.

WOW good info!

I hang fly tape up.... I don't know what the deal is lately... but I haven't had an issue. (crosses finger)

 

[DuWeech]

Guess im not the only one... I found a couple of mealy bugs on my plants today. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[dodolah]

gnatrol I believe is the Bacillus thuringiensis.
I asked people of the forum long time ago about this and its effect on chameleon in case they decide to ingest the soil.
But, nobody seems to ever use this to give some testimonial.

The Bacillus thuringiensis attack specifically the gnat's larvae.
we still need to use sticky tape for the adult.
with continual treatment, they pretty much will die of.

Have you used the Bt or the nematodes, Sandra?
The idea of introducing Bacteria, parasites, and mites into your pet's enclosure are a bit scary no matter how beneficial they are.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I've used nematodes in my greenhouse.
I would feel comfortable using them in my indoor plants.
But honestly the best, cheapest and easiest thing to do is stop overwatering the plants

 

[dindy]

ok so i should just use a mild soap and try to try the plants out...its just hard with the misting system....i hate the idea of bugs...makes me sick...i found this....http://perma-guard.com/Products.html...any ideas if the plant one would be good...i read all of it and it says its safe for animals...not that id spay tit right at the chams but in the soil and around it for starters...let me know what you think...is there anything at all i can buy that i can use to get rid of them...like a safe spray or anything....i cant imagine having these forever

 

[dodolah]

ok so i should just use a mild soap and try to try the plants out...its just hard with the misting system....i hate the idea of bugs...makes me sick...i found this....http://perma-guard.com/Products.html...any ideas if the plant one would be good...i read all of it and it says its safe for animals...not that id spay tit right at the chams but in the soil and around it for starters...let me know what you think...is there anything at all i can buy that i can use to get rid of them...like a safe spray or anything....i cant imagine having these forever

eepp.. i would try using soapy water first.
i would be afraid introducing a combination of chemicals and diatomaceous earth into your chameleon enclosure.

 

[veiledchamguy]

I use (Sarracenia) Judith Hindle pitcher plants....kinda like venus fly traps but they work well...i set them in the window sill right above my veileds cage and its been 4 weeks now they have collected a mass amounts of the little gnats and still working

 

[sandrachameleon]

I use (Sarracenia) Judith Hindle pitcher plants....kinda like venus fly traps but they work well...i set them in the window sill right above my veileds cage and its been 4 weeks now they have collected a mass amounts of the little gnats and still working

Fabulous! I think that's the best recommendation yet for control (though not for erradication)

 

[veiledchamguy]

Fabulous! I think that's the best recommendation yet for control (though not for erradication)

I would recommend them to anyone! just have to do some reading before caring for the plants like chameleons they are hardy but need the correct care

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I agree with Sandra ... Fabulous!
I love when people are able to incorporate natural ways of dealing with things like this.
Hmmmm .... now to do some research on pitcher plants

-Brad

 

[dodolah]

I would recommend them to anyone! just have to do some reading before caring for the plants like chameleons they are hardy but need the correct care

seems like they need full sun to survive.
some caresheet said that window sill isn't enough and during winter, it needs to be stimulated into dormancy.
I wonder if they can survive indoor.

 

[veiledchamguy]

seems like they need full sun to survive.
some caresheet said that window sill isn't enough and during winter, it needs to be stimulated into dormancy.
I wonder if they can survive indoor.

My pitcher gets partial sunlight through the window I have had it for 4 weeks now i keep it in peat moss and pearlite and always in fresh standing water and its growing...I also read the same stuff dodo but i thought it was worth a shot and with some TLC its been working

 

[royden]

The layer of river stones on top of the soil does the trick.

 

[chamelisa]

I agree with Sandra ... Fabulous!
I love when people are able to incorporate natural ways of dealing with things like this.
Hmmmm .... now to do some research on pitcher plants

-Brad

One of our Herp Society members found a bunch of pitcher plants at the 99 Cent store and bought them for raffle prizes for our holiday party. I won about 6 of them. I planted mine into big pots with moss and soil and now keep them in the greenhouse.

I believe they go into dormancy on their own but so far I've had mine since the first of December and none of the pitchers have died. I didn't even think of using them to get rid of the gnats.

Here are some interesting links:

http://www.pitcherplant.com/
http://www.carnivorousplantsoftexas.org/pitcherPlants.html
http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq5520.html