Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I keep getting these gnats, which apparently have been rapid in the midwest this year, in my enclosures and I keep having trouble completely getting rid of them. I don't think they are harmful, just annoying, but they are drawn to my reptile room for obvious reasons. Heat, water, defecations, etc. Has anyone else had this problem?

I had this problem used PAM and got rid of them but also ended up losing two hogs to it as well. I don't recommend using PAM with hogs. All I can recommend is make sure urates and defecations are cleaned daily if not more.

Good luck!
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Louie Chavez

yeah i haven't wanted to use any chemicals. That has been my method just try to keep them out through cleaning.

I use to have the same problem. Now I rarely see them anymore.They come in from outside so it is rather difficult to completely eradicate them. This is what I did.

Proper Ventilation of the cages dries out waste and reduces ammonia concentration in the drawers which there attracted by. This is probably one of the biggest and most easiest problems to remedy.
I changed my waterbowls to the disposable wax soup bowls, it seems the gnats can't climb on the wax well and that halps eliminate there water source.I just throw them away instead of filling them back up..cleaner that way as well!!
Also since hogs like it rather dry put more ventilation holes in there cages combined with a few strong occilating fans. This will help dry out the waste which helps elimante there food source and breeding areas(also helps balance out temps). Daily spot cleaning is also essential.
Sani chips seem to be the best for soaking and clumping up waste , but it has some definete drawbacks especially when it comes top feeding and burrowing. Pehaps use that for a few weeks with the other methods to get a handle on them.
Hope this helps!!
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Justin Mitcham
ExtremeHogs.com

Thanks guys!

I get this issue every fall. I have a harder time getting rid of them because of my vegetarians, and I really dont use chemicals for them.

What I do and works quite well to get the massive rush that comes in is set up a bowl with fruity or flowery scented dish soap mixed with water. I put this under a lamp to entice the insects to come. They end up drowning in the bowl.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Put it in jars with holes punched in the lid maybe 1 inch deep. They are attracted to the stuff like crazy. Likely they are Carrion flies. Carrion flies run very quickly on most surfaces and fly whereas fruitflies typically fly around and don't go after feces.

It's cheap and can be bought almost anywhere. It can also help the room smell better.

hope that helps

OK.......oh...yes the vinegar works very well...

??? what is the yellow hog on the left????

sweet........

...Thanxx
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LOL......

http://www.freewebs.com/spreptile/hognose.htm

Yellow Glow

thanks