MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Aww…happy hatch day King Jack. 
I hope the hatch day fairy brought you some good yummies. 
I hope the hatch day fairy brought you some good yummies. 
Littlefoot & Mr. Jack photo dumps
- Thread starter ehdee6
- Start date
ehdee6
Chameleon Enthusiast
Update to: The dreaded gnats...
I've mostly ridden the thrips, but a few still seem to thrive. I contacted the biological bug shop about further escalation, they provided the following:
Orius insidiosus is generally the stronger choice over Anystis baccarum for thrips in your high-humidity chameleon terrariums. Orius provides faster knockdown—up to 80% reduction in a few weeks—on both larvae and adults, addressing gaps where previous agents like Swirski mites and lacewings may have underperformed. Anystis baccarum works well long-term but is slower to act (around 40% initial reduction) and may struggle in high-moisture conditions (70–90% nighttime humidity) compared with the more resilient pirate bug.
Recommendation & Release Rates
For two terrariums measuring 2' x 2' x 4' (roughly equivalent to large greenhouse setups by volume):
Addressing Concerns
Usage Tips for Success
So, I'll be trying Orius insidiosus to rid the rest. I'm also going to order Chinese praying mantis. Although; I'll be removing the chameleon from their cage, to enjoy their free roam areas, while I let the mantis roam in the chameleon cage for the day and removing them (mantis) back to their Cage for the next few days/nights. So as to keep them (cham and mantis) separate.
!!!Warning graphic content!!!
I'm a bit haunted by this video of a chameleon being attacked by a mantis.
I've mostly ridden the thrips, but a few still seem to thrive. I contacted the biological bug shop about further escalation, they provided the following:
Orius insidiosus is generally the stronger choice over Anystis baccarum for thrips in your high-humidity chameleon terrariums. Orius provides faster knockdown—up to 80% reduction in a few weeks—on both larvae and adults, addressing gaps where previous agents like Swirski mites and lacewings may have underperformed. Anystis baccarum works well long-term but is slower to act (around 40% initial reduction) and may struggle in high-moisture conditions (70–90% nighttime humidity) compared with the more resilient pirate bug.
Recommendation & Release Rates
For two terrariums measuring 2' x 2' x 4' (roughly equivalent to large greenhouse setups by volume):
- Orius insidiosus: Release 20–30 adults per terrarium (≈1 per sq. ft. surface area). Focus on early low-thrips-pressure timing to boost establishment. Repeat every 1–2 weeks if needed.
- Anystis baccarum: Skip unless Orius fails—effective but less suitable for moist, enclosed setups.
- Alternative/Complementary: Apply Steinernema feltiae nematodes in the soil/substrate at 1–5 million/m² to target pupae. This complements foliar predators without humidity issues.
Addressing Concerns
- Do Orius bite chameleons? They can bite humans (mild, temporary irritation). Their piercing mouthparts might probe a chameleon’s thin skin if stressed, but they are not aggressive toward reptiles and rarely cause issues in bioactive enclosures. Monitor first releases; if any disturbance occurs, switch to soil-only nematodes or predatory mites like Stratiolaelaps.
Usage Tips for Success
- Humidity: Reduce sprinkler volume or mist less frequently post-release. Aim for 60–80% RH to favor Orius survival.
- Shipping & Handling: cost approximately $60.00
- Boost Establishment: Provide supplemental food such as pollen. Avoid introducing new plants until predators are established.
So, I'll be trying Orius insidiosus to rid the rest. I'm also going to order Chinese praying mantis. Although; I'll be removing the chameleon from their cage, to enjoy their free roam areas, while I let the mantis roam in the chameleon cage for the day and removing them (mantis) back to their Cage for the next few days/nights. So as to keep them (cham and mantis) separate.
!!!Warning graphic content!!!
I'm a bit haunted by this video of a chameleon being attacked by a mantis.
Last edited:
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Update to: The dreaded gnats...
I've mostly ridden the thrips, but a few still seem to thrive. I contacted the biological bug shop about further escalation, they provided the following:
Orius insidiosus is generally the stronger choice over Anystis baccarum for thrips in your high-humidity chameleon terrariums. Orius provides faster knockdown—up to 80% reduction in a few weeks—on both larvae and adults, addressing gaps where previous agents like Swirski mites and lacewings may have underperformed. Anystis baccarum works well long-term but is slower to act (around 40% initial reduction) and may struggle in high-moisture conditions (70–90% nighttime humidity) compared with the more resilient pirate bug.
Recommendation & Release Rates
For two terrariums measuring 2' x 2' x 4' (roughly equivalent to large greenhouse setups by volume):
- Orius insidiosus: Release 20–30 adults per terrarium (≈1 per sq. ft. surface area). Focus on early low-thrips-pressure timing to boost establishment. Repeat every 1–2 weeks if needed.
- Anystis baccarum: Skip unless Orius fails—effective but less suitable for moist, enclosed setups.
- Alternative/Complementary: Apply Steinernema feltiae nematodes in the soil/substrate at 1–5 million/m² to target pupae. This complements foliar predators without humidity issues.
Addressing Concerns
- Do Orius bite chameleons? They can bite humans (mild, temporary irritation). Their piercing mouthparts might probe a chameleon’s thin skin if stressed, but they are not aggressive toward reptiles and rarely cause issues in bioactive enclosures. Monitor first releases; if any disturbance occurs, switch to soil-only nematodes or predatory mites like Stratiolaelaps.
Usage Tips for Success
With this integrated approach, you can target the full thrips life cycle safely and expect effective control within 4–6 weeks with consistent management.
- Humidity: Reduce sprinkler volume or mist less frequently post-release. Aim for 60–80% RH to favor Orius survival.
- Shipping & Handling: cost approximately $60.00
- Boost Establishment: Provide supplemental food such as pollen. Avoid introducing new plants until predators are established.
So, I'll be trying Orius insidiosus to rid the rest. I'm also going to order Chinese praying mantis. Although; I'll be removing the chameleon from their cage, to enjoy their free roam areas, while I let the mantis roam in the chameleon cage for the day and removing them (mantis) back to their Cage for the next few days/nights. So as to keep them (cham and mantis) separate.
!!!Warning graphic content!!!
I'm a bit haunted by this video of a chameleon being attacked by a mantis.
I can’t bear to watch that video. Will a fully grown mantis wipe out the pests or do you need their hatchlings? I know for soil gnats, I get mantis ootheca and let it hatch out inside my enclosures. Of course, my chams are very efficient at making sure no mantids survive long.
ehdee6
Chameleon Enthusiast
@MissSkittles this is my first experience with mantis. They're rare in Western Canada, and the only legal species is the Chinese praying mantis. I've ordered two egg sacks to hatch in a mesh laundry hamper, and thought of raising a few into adulthood. But, if I let hatchlings free into the enclosure, do you think the chams will be ok; from your experience?