Took my ficus tree out of Eustis cage and his cage is not doing well!

[Lindasjackson]

I need to treat his ficus tree for white flies so I took it out and put the mass cane tree back in after shortening it. I put his lower branches back in and tried to close the cage and screws are not in place and are stripped, not from what I did, it came this way, and it’s just falling apart! There’s a huge gap between the door frame and the door if you know what I mean. This is an XL reptibreeze that I bought directly from pet cos website when they had that big sale last year. It came damaged but I thought I could make it work. Well they gave me back a huge amount of my money for the inconvenience because they didn’t have another to send me. It really needs to be replaced! I’m going to have to start looking for another enclosure for him!😩

 

[Lindasjackson]

Are there any other solid sided enclosures besides dragon strand? I can’t afford dragon strand unfortunately.

 

[ERKleRose]

Are there any other solid sided enclosures besides dragon strand? I can’t afford dragon strand unfortunately.

I use a plain screen cage (Zoo Med, Exo Terra, DIY Cages, etc.) and screw and silicone in coroplast/PVC sheets to the sides. It looks and acts just like a DragonStrand but WAY cheaper!

 

[Lindasjackson]

That’s a good idea. Is coroplast easy to cut to size or do they do it in the store for you?

 

[ERKleRose]

That’s a good idea. Is coroplast easy to cut to size or do they do it in the store for you?

Coroplast is super easy to cut! You just need a sharp blade and a straight edge, but I'm sure they could cut it at the store for you, too!

 

[MissSkittles]

https://www.diycages.com/collection...ducts/sc4-48x24x24-jumbo-vertical-screen-cage
Very similar to ReptiBreeze but a bit sturdier. Just fyi though - on long trip from California boxes did get damaged thru to screen. Great customer service though to rectify.

 

[Tkrd69]

I use a plain screen cage (Zoo Med, Exo Terra, DIY Cages, etc.) and screw and silicone in coroplast/PVC sheets to the sides. It looks and acts just like a DragonStrand but WAY cheaper!

So it's a ERKleRose stand then. That's would be a cool name. 😀😀

 

[Lindasjackson]

https://www.diycages.com/collection...ducts/sc4-48x24x24-jumbo-vertical-screen-cage
Very similar to ReptiBreeze but a bit sturdier. Just fyi though - on long trip from California boxes did get damaged thru to screen. Great customer service though to rectify.

That is about the same price as a reptibreeze xl! Does the bottom plate come out?

 

[MissSkittles]

That is about the same price as a reptibreeze xl! Does the bottom plate come out?

Yes, it does. It has the same features as ReptiBreeze but doesn’t feel as flimsy in my opinion.

 

[Lindasjackson]

Ok thanks! Im thinking about getting that one.

 

[RikkiL]

Are there any other solid sided enclosures besides dragon strand? I can’t afford dragon strand unfortunately.

Zen habitats is less expensive and the shipping is not as high. I love ours

 

[Lindasjackson]

Yes, it does. It has the same features as ReptiBreeze but doesn’t feel as flimsy in my opinion.

I bought it!! My daughter is coming in October to visit and she’s going to help me put it together! I’m so happy!

 

[Lindasjackson]

today I treated my ficus tree. I watched a lot of videos and looked up online how to get rid of white flies. I mixed up a gallon jug of water, a couple tbsp dawn dish soap and a couple tbsp vegetable oil and mixed it well then sprayed it on all the undersides of leaves as well as the tops of the leaves. They say the oil suffocates them. One person recommended need oil but said you can use vegetable oil instead. I don’t think vegetable oil can harm my Cham when all said and done and the tree has been rinsed well. Or can it? If anyone knows please let me know.

 

[Lindasjackson]

Can vegetable oil harm a Cham if I spray it on the tree Then rinse when treatment is done in a couple weeks? I have to spray the tree 2-3 times a week for several weeks. I’m taking that to mean 3-4 weeks.
@Beman @ERKleRose @MissSkittles

 

[Beman]

Can vegetable oil harm a Cham if I spray it on the tree Then rinse when treatment is done in a couple weeks? I have to spray the tree 2-3 times a week for several weeks. I’m taking that to mean 3-4 weeks.
@Beman @ERKleRose @MissSkittles

I don't know... But I would be concerned about a build up of it on the plant with a Veiled that would eat it. Oil does not easily rinse off.

 

[Lindasjackson]

I have a Jackson’s and they don’t eat their plants. I do plan on a final just dawn dish soap and water rinse after I’ve treated it for 2-3 weeks. That should take the vegetable oil off. I’m really at my wits end with these white flies. They completely killed my first ficus tree and I’m bound and determined they won’t kill this one!

 

[Beman]

I have a Jackson’s and they don’t eat their plants. I do plan on a final just dawn dish soap and water rinse after I’ve treated it for 2-3 weeks. That should take the vegetable oil off. I’m really at my wits end with these white flies. They completely killed my first ficus tree and I’m bound and determined they won’t kill this one!

Very true you have that on your side. The dawn should help remove the residual oil.

This is why I avoid certain plants... Ficus and umbrella plants have always brought me issues. Seems as though every single time I bought one they were infested with something. lol.

 

[ERKleRose]

Good luck, and keep us updated!

 

[Lindasjackson]

I’ve had several ficus trees in the past with absolutely no problems. It’s just been these last two that I got from a nursery near me. Won’t buy from them again!

 

[Lindasjackson]

Went to Wal Mart today and they had a couple money trees that were close to 3 foot tall so I bought one. Much cheaper than my ficus that was 65.00 at the nursery! This money tree was only 24.97! I also bought a pothos in a hanging pot and I washed them really well and put them in Eustis cage with the other plants and the mass cane tree. Gives him a little more cover. He really prefers a lot of foliage he can hide in and when I took the ficus out he was at a loss! He was just constantly walking along his branches like he didn’t know what to do so I hope this helps.