Fruitflies or nats in my chameleon enclosure?

[horsebackfever]

So my chameleon is old enough to eat crickets. That is all I have every bought since I have had her. Here recently, I have been noticing everytime I spray down her cage, lots of nats or fruit flies are flying all around in there. I have no idea where they have came from! What could be the cause of this? I have none in my house. They are just in her enclosure. I feed my crickets water with a wet cotton ball and food with the flukers dry calcium diet. What could be the cause of all these nats?? I also have been noticing my crickets have been dying more often then they used to. I don't know if this is because I have them in too small of an area or what, but could this have anything to do with that?
Thanks!

 

[froggielog]

these are the dreaded fungus gnats
https://www.chameleonforums.com/fungus-gnats-62271/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/bugs-my-chameleon-plants-help-19189/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/gnats-87836/

I find that repotting the soil, making sure its kept pretty dry, having sticky traps outside of the cage and using cider vinegar, keeps them well at bay
These should prove to be helpful

Also are you only gut loading with the flukers cricket food?

 

[horsebackfever]

Yes i am only using that. I occasionally dust them in calcium supplement though

 

[froggielog]

You need to read sandrachameleons blogs, she has GREAT info on gut loading
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/nutritional-information/

But in general gut loading with
apples
oranges
romanie lettuce
carrots
butternut squash
and other fruits and veggies is a must,
Also a dry gut load such as a DIY in her blog or stuff like bug burger and super load is also very beneficial.( you can find these at the links or at the sites sponsors)
http://www.store.repashy.com/superload-4-oz-bag.
http://www.store.repashy.com/bug-burger-4-oz-bag.html


Just be sure to double check any fruit or veggie you feed to them, some are toxic

 

[horsebackfever]

Okay thank you! I really learned alot and have some ideas on what I am going to do. Thanks so much

 

[froggielog]

You're welecome! Good luck with the gnats!

 

[CHScrusader]

If you have a live plant and an air conditioner those are two causes of nats.. Etc. they come in through the air and on plants bacteria builds up and causes mites to grow and also attracts flies and leftover food. But as long as you're not near a farm or any pesticidal matter, your cham won't be harmed and probably would eat them.