Gnats:(

[geckogirlemi]

Gnats in superworm container. Has anyone had this problem and how to you get rid of them???

 

[jdog1027]

Hello. I am in Alabama as well and I have a persistent problem with gnats in both my crickets and superworms. I've been informed they are either Phorid flies or something called Fungus gnats. They are attracted to the damp and to decay of dead insects. Nearly impossible to control. Where in Alabama are you located if you don't mind me asking?

 

[geckogirlemi]

I don't mind at all Blount County. I am about 30 miles north of birmingham. I do not own a chameleon yet, hope to soon. How long have you had the gnat problems? I am really worried now, because I think it would be a good idea to get these evil little things under control before I bring an animal who requires so much humidity into my house. I really hope I can get them under control

 

[jdog1027]

They are just a part of having crickets, superworms, mealworms etc. I have done 1 thing to try and control them. I purchased window sheer to cover my ventilation holes on my insect bins. It is such a fine mesh, that the gnats cannot get through it. You just have to have very large ventilation opening to allow for good air conduction, say 12"x12". Are you going to the Dixie Reptile show this coming Saturday 10/15? I will be there and will have a table with the last of a clutch of Veileds for sale.

http://www.dixiereptileshow.com/

 

[geckogirlemi]

I went last show, I think I saw your booth. If you had some veileds last time too. How much do you usually charge for your babies? thanks for the info! I have fine window mesh I use for my dubia bin, very good Idea

 

[jdog1027]

Yes, I was there last month. My babies (2-1/2 months) are anywhere from $25-30 each. I have one from a previous clutch left and she is 5 months old yesterday, she is $60. The 5 month old is about 7-8" and the 2-1/2 month olds are 3 to 3-1/2".

 

[sandrachameleon]

Gnats in superworm container. Has anyone had this problem and how to you get rid of them???

If they are gnats, You must be allowing your superworm substrate medium to be damp. Use only dry medium, such as this, with small pieces of vegetable or even smaller pieces of fruit placed on top. Remove uneaten moist foods before the medium gets damp.


If phorids, remove dead/rotting materials. Determine why there are dead/rotting materials and correct. Usually, dampness / lack of ventilation is an underlying cause.

If fruit flies, remove uneaten fruits more quickly.

 

[iLik3LIzards]

A small cup with apple vinegar does the trick. Just place the cup in an area they seem to congregate to and you're set.

 

[sandrachameleon]

A small cup with apple vinegar does the trick. Just place the cup in an area they seem to congregate to and you're set.

that's effective for fruit flies (i also add a tiny drop of disk liquid soap, to break surface tension and encourage drowning),
but not so effective for Gnats.

If gnats are already abundant, there are likely eggs/larva in the substrate so covering now with fine screen will perhaps be too late.

 

[geckogirlemi]

Okay so here is what I did. I went to the store, got gnat traps and layed a few over the super worm bin, and everywhere else it is ridiculous how many there was and still is actually in the box with the worms I left it in my basement and took as many worms as I could out. I decided to stop using oats, one of my friends told me a lot of people around here use wheat bran, it doesn't hold moisture as much. I got wheat bran and put the worms that I could fish out in the wheat bran mixed with chopped up rodent blocks and no gnats have returned. Gnats gross me out, gnats and flies. I dunno what it is about them but anyway thank you guys for all your help. jdog1027, I am going to see if I can get my sister to come to the show with me, if I can I will be coming to get a baby . Also did you hear about the show oct 22 & 23rd in cullman? just out of curiosity

 

[geckogirlemi]

Oh and I did use white vinegar with hand soap in a empty water bottle. That worked okay but didn't catch as many as the gnat trap.