The dreaded gnats...

[ehdee6]

The trips have infested Jack's cage.

Do I strip it and put him in the large reptibreeze while I try and exterminate?

Do I just leave it until the plants are totally dead and then start again?

The bigger empty spot was where his Schefflera was, I had to toss it. I'm a bit afraid to put anything new in.

I would trade this back for gnats... yikes!

Edit to add: Looking into Amblyseius cucumeris or Neoseiulus cucumeris. Anyone have any experience with them or other bugs for Thrips? I'm also considering some mantis.

 

[ehdee6]

Interesting revolution!...

I know I've successfully ridden the gnats! Battle won...

Today; I'm noticing some other, more lazy flying creatures. Fruit flies, tiz the season in my lands... Likely primarily from my cricket container, or neglected compost... We're required to separate our garage from food waste in our area... Mr. Jack has also reached maturity and is eating less... thus the crickets are lasting longer, more leftout food... and the inevitable fruit fly.

But just wanted to note for the great debate... Fruit flies are slow compared to gnats. I can grab a fruit fly, ninja style with my hand... whereas the gnat usually gets away...

 

[ehdee6]

Quarantine row isn't looking too good, I was hoping some biological bugs might show up after a few neem oil soaks... NOPE!

 

[ehdee6]

Jack's cage has the thrips beyond repair. I'm going to go on a stick hunt with my dog tomorrow, and will bake them to speed up the process... But I'm going to have to put him in the large reptibreeze for a few days while I clean and rebuild his XL. I don't think I've ever encountered such evil plant pests. Good thing for weekends?

 

[LizardLurkin]

I would just rinse my plants and repot before, but after this thread, seeing all those little bugs, I don't know if I can trust new plants ever again.

 

[ehdee6]

Almost every leaf looks like this...

Luckily his free range pothos and money tree are clean for the new build.

 

[LizardLurkin]

That's so terrible. Soil gnats feel so quaint in comparison. That picture of all those bugs just clustered together like that is just dreadful to imagine!

 

[ehdee6]

For anyone following this misadventure, both Littefoot and Jack's cage have the thrips, and possibly mealybugs.

In my last ditch effort to save everything I've ordered Amblyseius swirskii, Stratiolaelaps scimitus, and Chrysoperla carnea (commonly known as Green lacewing). I considered Orius insidiosus, but then learned that they bite people and possibly pets.

Here's to hoping these thripers thrip off... Or else it's in the trash with all live plants for three months.

 

[ehdee6]

I've released the (biological bug) hounds last week... I still see evidence of thrips on the top leaves; but I think they're working!

No gnats on the computer screen, but I did see a tiny Green lacewing larvae cross my screen this evening... They're obviously traveling and working the battle!

I'm also preparing for about 500+ Green lacewing to start flying around... I spread them generously in the cages and indoor plants and the rest on the outside ones... I may be having subtle nightmares of a Green lacewing invasion.

 

[ehdee6]

Week 1 of dispersing the hounds...

I see them in the lower parts (soil) of the plants. However; the thrips, and newly found mealybugs, are still thriving in the upper area of the cages.

Sadly, I'm preparing for a 3 month extermination, that requires fake plants. Hoping to provide littlefoot with a fresh lay bin weekly, and daily fresh plant/flower alternatives.

Any suggestions welcome.

Edit to add: Littlefoot is about to arrive at her 1 year gotcha age, and still hasn't had eggs! But I always keep the bin out of caution.

 

[MissSkittles]

You may need to take drastic measures and completely deep/steam clean the enclosure and set up with all new plants and branches. Sorry that you’re having this problem.