Small Bugs Flying Around

[GlennFrog]

So I've got some small fly looking dudes creeping around my enclosure. They hang around the lights and seem to be reproducing. Is this something that I should be worried about? They don't seem to be doing any damage to anything, they're just annoying to me. They're also much too small to be recognized as prey items; they're only a few millimeters long. Is there anything that I can do to kill them off without harming my girl? If any more info is needed I'll be happy to provide. Thanks all.

 

[nick barta]

Fungas gnats are what you have, you can reduce them 2 ways:

1. Buy nematodes and soak all the plant soils, they breed/live in damp soils. With shipping it was $45, and it did reduce them initially.

2. Get gnat cards that they stick to when they land on it. Since they go through screen, put them outside the cage, this has reduced them for me.

You can see a picture of them in the Feeders Classifieds under my listing
"Gut loads and feeder stuff."

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[Brassaxe]

I use medium fine sand on all the plant soils. Just a cm or so on top of all the soil does a lot of good. The sand dries out much better than dirt so it keeps the place where the bugs would lay eggs too dry for the to do so.

I also use a tiny computer fan on all my cages which would blow any would be invaders out of the cage. But using a fan needs to be done with a heavier misting schedule.

 

[ChameleonUES]

Been there, done that.

I had the same exact problem a year ago.

After doing my research and experimenting, I found the best idea is:
starting from the bottom of your planter.
Add
-75% soil/growing substrate
-25% sand
-top layer of pebbles (large enough so your chameleon can't accidentally swallow them)

this prevents the gnats from digging and laying eggs.
Also, if you add a small amount of dish soap and water mixture (deepening
on your pot size, this kills the gnat eggs and won't harm your plants). Just be sure to not over due the soap and harm the plants.

But your best bet, is to replace all the soil.

 

[odduc748]

I just got rid of the fungus gnats in my cham cages.

Follow the advice above and they will be gone in about 1-2 weeks.