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self-picked moss came with unwanted ants.

emumaster17 Feb 28, 2004 08:16 PM

I just made a terrarium for two green anoles. I dug up some moss from the woods around my house. I rinsed as much of the dirt off that I could and put it all over the floor of the terrarium. I also planted some other plants and the anoles are usually on limbs and plants. Now I have noticed very small ants eating the crickets I put in the cage. Are the anoles alright with ants in an enclosed area? How can I get the ants out without tearing up the landscape and without harmful chemicals?

Replies (7)

roachey56 Feb 28, 2004 10:27 PM

take the moss out. then make sure the all the ants are out of the cage. Then bake the moss at like 400 degreees. for half an hour. then rinse again.
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0.1 Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 ball python (felix)
1.1 feral cats (Fuzzy, and Bear; it used to be fuzzy, wuzzy, bear)

emumaster17 Feb 29, 2004 05:31 PM

I don't want to kill the moss. Its living and growing and if I bake it it will die. Is there any other way to kill ants that wont harm the anoles or the plants? Are anoles ok with ants? Will the anoles eat the ants or will the ants eat the anoles?

roachey56 Feb 29, 2004 07:02 PM

I think the anoles would eat the ants but they would die from possible pesticdie/poision in ants.since the plants are still living. Here is what may/may not work.
Get some BLACK KNIGHT (insect removal product)
take anoles out of the cage: THen follow the directions for Black Knight

i am not sure if the Black knight will kill the moss though.
-----
0.1 Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 ball python (felix)
1.1 feral cats (Fuzzy, and Bear; it used to be fuzzy, wuzzy, bear)

Twest Feb 29, 2004 10:59 PM

The Black Knight will kill ALL of the feeder insects you put in the cage for months after you spray it in there. The only thing I could sudgest doing is starting over... Sorry to say that, it is a beautiful set-up but, I believe your best bet would be to buy some moss (I'm sure you can find some online some where)

emumaster17 Feb 29, 2004 11:34 PM

Thanks for the help anyway. I guess I will start over. Im thinking about getting them a bigger cage anyway. Thanks again.

sstorkel Mar 01, 2004 04:41 PM

>>The Black Knight will kill ALL of the feeder insects you put in the cage for months after you spray it in there. The only thing I could sudgest doing is starting over... Sorry to say that, it is a beautiful set-up but, I believe your best bet would be to buy some moss (I'm sure you can find some online some where)

Alternatively, you could just sit tight and keep an eye on the situation. It's doubtful that you've got enough ants to kill/injure the anoles. Personally, I'd just kill the ants as I saw them. If they seem to be multiplying, then it's time to take more drastic action

Ideally, you'd move the anoles to a temporary cage and wait for the ants to either leave or die. You might also try to lure the ants out of the cage (e.g. w/food or an ant trap placed just outside the cage).

biancaaaaaaaa Mar 01, 2004 06:32 PM

to drown the ants. If you can put the Anoles somewhere else temporarily perhaps you could flood the tank wait a few hours for the ants to drown then drain the tank, I don't think this would harm the plants or the moss.

Goodluck

Bianca

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