The dreaded gnats...

[MzLaurie]

@jamest0o0 Full disclosure, my order of carnivorous plants haven't arrived in the shop, but are expected on Thursday! Although there are different species gnats, even ones that bite us humans like mosquitoes!


@MzLaurie I was wondering if I plastic sealed off the plants if it would do anything too! and the getting stuck in foam is a new one!

Oh it doesn’t hurt the plants at all. I get a piece of plastic wrap and tuck the sides down at the edge of the soil then put the rest toward the plant and toss on a few rocks to hold it. To be honest, none of these tricks work without the use of a vacuum. They go to the lights. The foam happened by accident when I saw they get thru the screen. So I covered the areas with a soft foam vacuumed then the next day I only had to vacuum a few till I removed the foam. It was black with dead gnats.

 

[ehdee6]

Work your magic, my little carnivorous friends! The crushed mosquito dunks put a dent in the population, and the DIY catchy is working too! I emptied them this morning and forgot to take a picture, but there was like 20 in each!

 

[JacksJill]

I saw a new methods on fb recently. They used diatomaceous earth rather than sand to cover their soil. I haven't tried it but the author was happy with the technique. I have used it around my cages and feeder totes successfully against ants.

 

[MissSkittles]

I saw a new methods on fb recently. They used diatomaceous earth rather than sand to cover their soil. I haven't tried it but the author was happy with the technique. I have used it around my cages and feeder totes successfully against ants.

Interesting. I use diatomaceous earth all over for pest control where I can’t use chemicals.

 

[ehdee6]

@JacksJill I thought about diatomaceous too; but worry what it might do if a bug got loose into a plant base and a cham inadvertently ingested some.

 

[JacksJill]

I literally feed a diatomaceous earth product to my horse by the cup to treat diarrhea. Yes, chameleons are not horses so I would not advise people to feed DE intentionally. I dusted liberally around my outside cages to control ants with no obvious consequences.

DE particles have microscopic sharp edges that scratch and penetrate the insects exoskeleton. It's death by a thousand cuts with a side of dehydration for the insect.

AI says "Diatomaceous earth (DE) is generally considered safe for humans and pets when used properly, but precautions should be taken to avoid inhalation or skin irritation. Food-grade DE is even considered safe for consumption in small amounts and is often used as an anticaking agent in food. However, inhaling any type of DE dust, especially the crystalline form, can be harmful and cause respiratory problems.

The skin irritation factor is concerning. It might be best to treat the plant outside of the cage and then scrape and wash away as much of the DE as possible prior to putting it back.

If peroxide or soap solutions don't work. I'm at a loss.

 

[ehdee6]

I think I can safely say I've sunken the gnattleship! The sticky traps have been cleared compared to the previous week's, and I only get one or two bothering me at the computer. At first I was afraid I did too well of a job that the new carnivorous plants would need to be fed, but they're catching them like crazy! The Drosera capensis are devouring them and one looks like it's about to flower. The Drosera spatula is also eating like mad and flowering away. Idon't think the butterworts is very happy, but hopefully it picks up. The DIY catchy seems to work the best...

The sticky traps from two weeks ago vs this week.

 

[mistressRose85]

I’m new here and so thankful I came across this post. My cham is in my office so I’m constantly waving my hand in front of my face on camera while I work. I’m in a small town in East Tennessee so I need to see where I can get carnivorous plants. I have diatomaceous earth in my plants outside of the cage and it works wonders but I don’t want Willow to ingest it. Can’t wait to try everything

 

[MissSkittles]

I’m new here and so thankful I came across this post. My cham is in my office so I’m constantly waving my hand in front of my face on camera while I work. I’m in a small town in East Tennessee so I need to see where I can get carnivorous plants. I have diatomaceous earth in my plants outside of the cage and it works wonders but I don’t want Willow to ingest it. Can’t wait to try everything

I just want to say welcome.

 

[ehdee6]

So, that's where that escaped BSF went....

Should I let it flower or do you cut it off to let more leaves grow? I also may have killed the seedlings.

 

[BleuSaphir]

I have gnat problems inside my cage too.

 

[jamest0o0]

So, that's where that escaped BSF went....

Should I let it flower or do you cut it off to let more leaves grow? I also may have killed the seedlings.

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I always let mine flower, they spread and you’ll have new ones popping up all over in time.

 

[ehdee6]

The Drosera capensis has truly been a champ at eating the gnats, and it has pretty little flowers! The Drosera dielsiana is also killing it! The venus fly traps and butterwort are useless LOL! I think they're eating themselves to live.... I've had a bit of influx of gantivity this week, but made some mosquito dunks tea in hopes it keeps them at bay.

 

[jamest0o0]

Yeah fly traps are useless other than being fun and looking awesome.

My butterworts would catch gnats, but not on the level of sundews.

 

[MissSkittles]

The Drosera capensis has truly been a champ at eating the gnats, and it has pretty little flowers! The Drosera dielsiana is also killing it! The venus fly traps and butterwort are useless LOL! I think they're eating themselves to live.... I've had a bit of influx of gantivity this week, but made some mosquito dunks tea in hopes it keeps them at bay.
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Those plants look so wonderfully healthy! Makes me want to get some more of them. lol

 

[ehdee6]

I encountered a new bug issue. Spider mites on my Schefflera (Umbrella Plant), and Harlequin Cordyline Fruticosas.
I took them outside for a few dawn soaks and heavy spray downs with water the past few weeks. This pic was of the better part, I forgot to take pics of the webs... I hope I got them all.

My fly traps were looking sad, so I fed one a BSFL to see if it livens it up. ...opp dog hair not included.