coreyflowers1
New Member
I put my new live plants in my cham cages about a month ago and have noticed there is alot of gnats hanging around the potting soil were it is.moist.is this a bad thing and if it is what can I do to fix it???
i have gnats in my cham cages
- Thread starter coreyflowers1
- Start date
Baby chams can fix it...
Lokie
New Member
Ive also seem to be having this problem. i'm almost done setting up my first set up and the plants I bought from Lowes seems to be producing a lot of lil buggers. I hope they just die off, but I've wondered if they do stay I wouldn't want any pesticides or fertilizer they may have used to transfer over to my first cham. Well, I guess I could count out pesticides since the little things are living it up in my cage, lol! would spraying vinegar help in anyway?
cubanbee
New Member
I had this same problem. Repotted my plants in high drainage soil (it was labeled like this at home depot) and added a solid layer Of 2-3 inch river rocks covering the soil. The drainage keeps the moisture down, the rocks limit access for gnat breeding. Problem solved for about 2 months now.
Psychobunny
Avid Member
To keep the gnats away, put a layer of sand over the soil in your pots.
Make sure you have good drainage, no standing water under the cage
Make sure you have good drainage, no standing water under the cage
Cainschams
New Member
Sand definitely helps. I had a huge problem one year with these. Take all the dirt in the pots out, let it dry really well while keeping the plant alive, mix the soil with sand and make sure the water soaks through the plant and out the bottoms. Using this method you will have to water your plants more but they dry out quicker leading to no gnats.
I do about 50 to 70% sand and the rest cheap ole topsoil.
I do about 50 to 70% sand and the rest cheap ole topsoil.
pigglett79
Avid Member
I have tons of gnats right now. In was planning to get some nematodes today to put in the soil.
Baby chams can fix it...
This is the best idea
.This too should help.
Great advice!
I think the problem is compounded by the lighting we use indoors. Since it has been so warm this winter here in Florida, we have had the doors open for fresh air. The lights attract the gnats (especially on cloudy days) and I see them mostly in the evenings inside the enclosure. They also find their way to the feeder bins
.
pigglett79
Avid Member
Operation nematode is a go. We watered the plants with them today. Hopefully the gnats wont reproduce anymore. I even put some in the tomato plants that I use for my hornworm moths.
So, no baby chams??? 
