Lightning bugs in outdoor enclosures

[RedMountainHome]

Hi all,

I live in the land of the lightning bugs, aka western NC. I want to give my panther cham as much time in his outdoor cage as possible but I constantly see lightning bugs on the jasmine plant that's the main plant in his cage (and everywhere else outside!). Is there anything to be done, aside from removing those bugs when I see them? Should I even allow him outsidewith as many of these bugs are in my area?

All comments appreciated!

 

[jpowell86]

I have many insects in my area that are not kosher.....especially lightning bugs. My entire yard is a light show every night. But, I think outside time for a chameleon is a large component in maintaining health. So, I just had to buckle down and spend the money to screen in all of my DIY enclosures. I had first used hardware cloth because of it's rigidity and the fact that possums and raccoons frequent my yard as well.

After my enclosures became riddled with green tree frogs, anoles, very large creepy freaking spiders, lightning bugs and everything else that could squeeze in, I had to make the executive decision to apply a layer of screening. Not a big deal!

I would not let them outside in the enclosures with them. The lucibufagins found in the lightning bugs can cause severe symptoms and death in most cases. No need to risk it.

 

[RedMountainHome]

to apply a layer of screening...

Thanks for the info! I also currently have a simple hardware cloth cage. What kind of a screening is best to wrap around that? I've heard mention of foot / nail damage due to the wrong type of screen but don't know what that wrong type is. Also, I don't want to block too many rays and invalidate the reason I put him out there!