i have a sweet baby water monitor. i was gone for a day and when i came back i found these very small white bugs on top of the water and in the dirt. they look like they hop around. does anyone know what they are. can they kill my monitor, how do i get rid of them. there so small. thanks for any advice
need info fast on bug in my monitor cage
- Thread starter USMCtanker
- Start date
without a picture, I can't do much. However, if you post a picture, I will forward it to my mother, who is an entomologist
I can probably id em' but need a pic. can you draw a crappy pic of one & post it? Sounds like you have leafhopper nymphs. If that's the case, they are harmless and will eventually disappear. I used to be all about insects before the fish keeping bug hit me.
thanks everyone ill try and take a pic but there very very small i dont think il be able to get a pic but i will try.
Kuda;487653; said:
id say its harmeless from what i hear so far
i know i need pics. i just tried and there so small i cant. i wish i could. i cleaned out whole cage. i have only see a few now in the water.
no none really these are all white and alot smaller almost to small for eye to see. im gonna borrow a buddys camera today and try and take pics. thanks for the help tho
Are they parasitizing the monitor? As in do you find them all over it? If not, they're probably something that was laying dormant or laid eggs in your substrate. The easiest thing to do is just to clean everything out and start over. That will increase your chances of getting rid of them.
The more controversial way is to buy a hanging insect no pest strip. Place a piece or the whole thing in a covered cup with holes in it in the tank for a day. Take the water bowl out as you don't want the monitor drinking contaminated water. You may even want to remove the monitor for the duration. While I do not like to use any form of pesticides around my reptiles, this has worked for friends of mine in ridding enclosures of pests. Use this method at your own risk though.
The more controversial way is to buy a hanging insect no pest strip. Place a piece or the whole thing in a covered cup with holes in it in the tank for a day. Take the water bowl out as you don't want the monitor drinking contaminated water. You may even want to remove the monitor for the duration. While I do not like to use any form of pesticides around my reptiles, this has worked for friends of mine in ridding enclosures of pests. Use this method at your own risk though.
I ran it by the dear mother-with-an-entomology-PhD and she suggested fungus gnats. google those.