Gumball Machine
New Member
I just wanted to spread the word on neonicotinoids. It's a systemic pesticide and for ornamental potted plants (like the ficus) it's used in the soil. However, because it goes through the plant and not on it, it's important to know that even if you thoroughly rinse it and re-soil it, it is still infected with the pesticide. The good news is that proper "decontaminating" the plant is possible. It is said the pesticide will protect the plant for a full season so if you buy a plant and find out that it's been treated with this common pesticide, you have to wait weeks for it to run out. So, you should wait a at least a full season before letting your cham into the plant, even if you've rinsed and re-potted. It's also said that the toxin itself is is very diluted for ALL mammals (but we know how off that really is). I have a hard time finding the extent of it's safety on chameleons specifically since it's only been around for 20 years or so and most research has been with bees, rats, fish, birds and rabbits. However, for anyone getting one of these plants for whatever reason, since it's so common and not all sellers say whether it's on the plant or not please wait a full season's worth before letting your cham (veiled especially) roam around on it. If anyone has any further info, let me know. I've just read so much that people are content with simply rinsing and repotting and/or saying neonicotinoids are impossible to get rid of which both aren't completely true however, it's not something to mess with either. I've also heard if it's from the seed, the waiting period is 2 years... luckily, ornamental plants such as ficus (not sure what class the others are in), it is done through the soil and is a season long. Just thought this might be some useful information.
