Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there,
I have a vield chameleon about one year old. In his enclosure I have a jade plant, schefflera plant and what was an impatient plant. Somehow gnats have managed to infest the enclosure and our room. I was wondering if any one could recommend a way to get rid of these buggers that will be safe for my chameleon. Thanks.

>>Hi there,
>> I have a vield chameleon about one year old. In his enclosure I have a jade plant, schefflera plant and what was an impatient plant. Somehow gnats have managed to infest the enclosure and our room. I was wondering if any one could recommend a way to get rid of these buggers that will be safe for my chameleon. Thanks.

the gnats were almost assuredly already there.. in the plants. the fly maggots live in the wet soil. if you are going to use live plants, then you will have to also accept having the gnats around.
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PHWyvern

Drying the plants and cage out will help . You can take the cage outside and empty it then let it dry out.

Dishwashing liquid (mixed in the water used to water the plant or sprayed on leaves) can help clear them up.

So can drenching the soil with a solution of pyrethrin, which is an organic pesticide made from chrysanthemums. But you might want to take the plants away from the chams if doing this.

Let the plant dry out between waterings. Make sure moisture isnt building up elsewhere.

Keep plants clean of fallen leaves and debris.

And or, you could introduce beneficial Nematodes, to control fungus gnat larvae. You can buy cultures from organic gardening centres and hydroponic stores.
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Sandra
BC Canada

a bit too wet, sometimes letting them dry out a bit can help with the pesty knat problem.
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PHEve / Eve

geesh..... Gnats, Knats, whatever, they are PESTS
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PHEve / Eve

Dishwashing liquid (mixed in the water used to water the plant or sparyed on leaves) can help clear them up.

So can drenching the soil with a solution of pyrethrin, which is an organic pesticide made from chrysanthemums. But you might want to take the plants away from the chams if doing this.

Let the plant dry out between waterings. Make sure moisture isnt building up elsewhere.

Keep plants clean of fallen leaves and debris.

Use yellow sticky traps placed near the infested plant to catch adults - effectiveness will depend on type of gnat. Do they fly, hop? pls describe
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Sandra
BC Canada

Also, Nematodes can biologically control fungus gnat larvae
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Sandra
BC Canada