Little green bugs!!!

[Slug]

What are these things? Any idea where they came from? How should I go about getting rid of them?

I noticed them tonight and squished about 10-15 of them throughout the night.

I picked 3 off my cham and noticed them all over the cage. I have no idea what they are and am a bit concerned.

Any help is welcome.

Sorry the pic is not the best, but they are tiny.

 

[rae7214]

They might be aphids, do you have live plants in your enclosure? If so, check the new growth of the plant, that's where they tend to aggregate and suck the sap from the plant. They're easily removed with soapy water.

 

[Slug]

Ok, but how do I remove them from my cham safely? I picked them off by hand but, if I can do it faster and with less stress, then great.

I do have a live hibiscus in the cage, I am strongly considering removing it if aphids will be a future problem.

Thanks for the help!

 

[camimom]

You can keep the hibiscus. You just have to clean it.

take it outside, get a hose, remove it from the pot, rinse off al the dirt off the roots, rinse the plant really well.

get new dirt, and replant.

 

[Slug]

Well, they are all over the enclosure, so I think a major overhaul is in order...

Will they come back?

Also, will they hurt my Cham at all?

 

[camimom]

Well, they are all over the enclosure, so I think a major overhaul is in order...

Will they come back?

Also, will they hurt my Cham at all?

well clean the whole cage with diluted dish soap, that should get rid of them easier.

they might come back, but not if you clean the cage and replace all the dirt, and rinse the plant real well.

 

[DanSB]

http://bugguide.net/node/view/147

Everything you ever wanted to know about aphids...

Make sure that is what you actually have by the way by comparing to the pictures as we are guessing from a speck of green.

They aren't dangerous to animals just plants and soapy water is the best idea. Lady bugs also love to eat them but lady bugs are toxic to your cham...

 

[Slug]

http://bugguide.net/node/view/147

Everything you ever wanted to know about aphids...

Make sure that is what you actually have by the way by comparing to the pictures as we are guessing from a speck of green.

They aren't dangerous to animals just plants and soapy water is the best idea. Lady bugs also love to eat them but lady bugs are toxic to your cham...

I am glad you said that. A coworker of mine said I should just get some ladybugs to put in the cage, they even mentioned that since they fly, that the cham would probably eat them as well. I will have to tell her that while it is a good idea, it is also a bad idea...

 

[DanSB]

I am glad you said that. A coworker of mine said I should just get some ladybugs to put in the cage, they even mentioned that since they fly, that the cham would probably eat them as well. I will have to tell her that while it is a good idea, it is also a bad idea...

Baby Mantids will also eat Aphids and those are okay for your cham but your cham might get fat trying to keep enough in there to actually clear out the aphids!

Camimom's idea is really the best even though it is a pain.

 

[Slug]

Baby Mantids will also eat Aphids and those are okay for your cham but your cham might get fat trying to keep enough in there to actually clear out the aphids!

Camimom's idea is really the best even though it is a pain.

Mantids may work too...Now to find some. Possibly at the KC Reptile Expo this weekend?