dodolah
Retired Moderator
There are basically 3 unwanted pests that often become major problem in my chameleon's cage:
#1. Gnats.
#2. Ants.
#3. Aphids.
i have tried most methods from repotting the plants, pouring dish washing soap solution, and physically removing the pest from the plants (aphid).
None works that well.
After careful research, asking couple of vets, and some suggestion from some members, i decided to use Steinernema Feltiae inside the cham's cage.
WTH is it?
It's a parasitical nematode. I know the next question that pop in your head is "Are you CRAZY? introducing parasites inside your chameleon's cage?!"
S. Feltiae is a host specific and considered safe for pets and human.
That is if you decided to eat the contaminated soil or directly eat the worms (i don't know WHY on earth you would do that), the feltiae will not attack you and your pet.
Here are its Pros and Cons:
PRO:
1. Fast! within 48 hours of introducing Feltiae, the gnats became less significantly. I say roughly about 95% are gone. In a week, gnats are completely gone.
2. Work for a long time. The package said that Feltiae will keep combating the pest for 2 years.
3. Summer is coming, ants are starting to attack my house again and obviously, they go straight to my chameleon's room. This time, however, they don't swarm as much as last year. I notice some of the ants have bloated stomach and walk a bit of odd. I realized now that Feltiae apparently also infects ants.
4. Feltiae can be put in the refrigerator for later use. But only for 2 weeks. If you want them to be longer, then you need to dissolve the solution in water.
5. Safe. They are host specific and do not infect your chameleon, you, and beneficial insect such as earthworms. At least, for now, since last fecal check, my chams are still parasite free. It has been 3 months now, so far so good.
6. Easy to administer. Mix with water and spray the soil (preferably in the morning or dawn. when the soil is moist).
Cons:
1. Expensive. One package will cost you 50 dollars.
2. They do not last too long in powder form (2 weeks is their maximum time if you do not introduce them into the soil).
3. Can be fragile during shipping. extreme heat or cold during transfer might kill your feltiae.
4. Careful on where you purchase it. Some company mix perlite and some chemical with Feltiae. Though the worm is harmless to your cham, the chemical fertilizer is not. I bought one from organic company that use kaolin clay powder as medium. It dissolve immediately when you introduce water in it.
5. Some repeated treatments may be needed.
I am not an agent for Feltiae selling company and this is my personal experience. So, it might be different from yours (please do tell if you have ever tried using Feltiae be4).
So, hopefully, that help.
PS: pardon about the grammar. I am in a bit hurry and have no time to proof read my writings. I'll revise when I get home later tonight.
Thanks
#1. Gnats.
#2. Ants.
#3. Aphids.
i have tried most methods from repotting the plants, pouring dish washing soap solution, and physically removing the pest from the plants (aphid).
None works that well.
- A. Repotting the plants work only for momentary before #2 and #3 comes back. #1 eventually come back.
- B. Soapy water works; but, take a long time and it actually kill the earthworms that reside in the pot. Once I pour the soap liquid, they all came out and start wriggling like crazy and eventually die. I want to keep the worms to help producing food for my hibiscus. This method does not work against pest #2 and #3.
- C. Removing #3 by cutting the leaves they were on is waste of time. #2 and #3 works together. #2 will collect #3 from the wild, intrude your cham's cage and introducing the bastards on your plants again.
After careful research, asking couple of vets, and some suggestion from some members, i decided to use Steinernema Feltiae inside the cham's cage.
WTH is it?
It's a parasitical nematode. I know the next question that pop in your head is "Are you CRAZY? introducing parasites inside your chameleon's cage?!"
S. Feltiae is a host specific and considered safe for pets and human.
That is if you decided to eat the contaminated soil or directly eat the worms (i don't know WHY on earth you would do that), the feltiae will not attack you and your pet.
Here are its Pros and Cons:
PRO:
1. Fast! within 48 hours of introducing Feltiae, the gnats became less significantly. I say roughly about 95% are gone. In a week, gnats are completely gone.
2. Work for a long time. The package said that Feltiae will keep combating the pest for 2 years.
3. Summer is coming, ants are starting to attack my house again and obviously, they go straight to my chameleon's room. This time, however, they don't swarm as much as last year. I notice some of the ants have bloated stomach and walk a bit of odd. I realized now that Feltiae apparently also infects ants.
4. Feltiae can be put in the refrigerator for later use. But only for 2 weeks. If you want them to be longer, then you need to dissolve the solution in water.
5. Safe. They are host specific and do not infect your chameleon, you, and beneficial insect such as earthworms. At least, for now, since last fecal check, my chams are still parasite free. It has been 3 months now, so far so good.
6. Easy to administer. Mix with water and spray the soil (preferably in the morning or dawn. when the soil is moist).
Cons:
1. Expensive. One package will cost you 50 dollars.
2. They do not last too long in powder form (2 weeks is their maximum time if you do not introduce them into the soil).
3. Can be fragile during shipping. extreme heat or cold during transfer might kill your feltiae.
4. Careful on where you purchase it. Some company mix perlite and some chemical with Feltiae. Though the worm is harmless to your cham, the chemical fertilizer is not. I bought one from organic company that use kaolin clay powder as medium. It dissolve immediately when you introduce water in it.
5. Some repeated treatments may be needed.
I am not an agent for Feltiae selling company and this is my personal experience. So, it might be different from yours (please do tell if you have ever tried using Feltiae be4).
So, hopefully, that help.
PS: pardon about the grammar. I am in a bit hurry and have no time to proof read my writings. I'll revise when I get home later tonight.
Thanks
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