Annoying bugs from plants

[JimNPHX]

Anyone have some good solutions on how to get rid of these annoying bugs? I am referring to the little flying "gnat" type that I see around all my plants. (Not just the ones in the cham cages.)

Thanks

Jim

 

[dodolah]

Anyone have some good solutions on how to get rid of these annoying bugs? I am referring to the little flying "gnat" type that I see around all my plants. (Not just the ones in the cham cages.)

Thanks

Jim

repot the soil of your plants..
and If i am not mistaken, wash the root of your plants.

 

[Jordan]

When you repot them I would add a layer of rocks about an inch deep if you have big plants. A little less for smaller plants. This will allow the soil to stay moist but not wet.

 

[JimNPHX]

Thanks for the tips . . .

Is this something I will need to continuously do to avoid the bugs? What causes them to appear in the first place?

 

[Sara270]

There was a thread on this a few weeks back. https://www.chameleonforums.com/getting-rid-fungus-gnats-7170/?highlight=fungus+gnats

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Jim,

If you are going to cover the soil in stones (as suggested by Jordan) and your cham will not be able to eat the soil, then you can pour a 10% solution of dawn dish washing soap and water over the soil to eliminate these gnats.
It will not harm your plant.
You will have to repeat this every 7 to 10 days until they are completely gone.
They have laid eggs in the soil, but the de-greasing agents in Dawn will destroy them.

-Brad

 

[Will Hayward]

Actually brad, I beleive Jordan meant to suggest to add rocks at the bottom of the soil, not on top. Not that that isn't also a good idea.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Ahhh.
Well, it's not the first time I have misunderstood a post
I'm certain it won't be the last.....hopefully Jim has some good ideas to choose from regardless of my comprehension skills

-Brad

 

[dodolah]

Thanks for the tips . . .

Is this something I will need to continuously do to avoid the bugs? What causes them to appear in the first place?

constantly wet soil and high humidity is a great environment for this demonic insect.

 

[JimNPHX]

I like the soap idea a lot better than re-potting 10+ plants!

I understood the rocks at the bottom for better drainage, and I also add stones at the top for safety reasons.

Thanks again!

Jim

 

[Jordan]

Just hope you never get any millipedes. I had to throw away every plant I had and buy all new ones. That sucked.

 

[christyo2o2]

When you repot them I would add a layer of rocks about an inch deep if you have big plants. A little less for smaller plants. This will allow the soil to stay moist but not wet.

the key word is ROCKS not the small pebbles used for your fish. i would say use about 1inch long rocks lined. the smaller ons your cham could eat and that prolly wount be good.

 

[m1ndless]

I use river rocks, small thin round flat ones, they cover up the soil nicley.

 

[lonomac]

Did you try the soap method out? Ive been trying and they seem to just be multiplying anyway. I was wondering if with a combination of rocks on top of the soil, putting some sand with them to cover the top soil. Assuming they don't like beach sand since they feed off the decay in the soil. The rate at which these multiply in my house is ridiculous. Ive tried repotting them. I even took every single plant outside, and dunked them in ice water for at least 5-10 minutes. Yet they still come back....

The sticky pads at least keep the numbers way down but I dont like leaving them in the cage with my chams.