Severe moth (drain flies/Psychoda) infestation - Please help!

[vibe]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post in MFK, although I have been following the forums for quite some time.

I have a 165g aquarium with various cichlid species. At about 2 months ago I discovered some black larvae in my filter wool, and after some extensive research I identified the species as Psychoda, a.k.a drain flies, which is a type of triangular, small black moth laying eggs which turn into the black larvae I mentioned before. I replaced the filter wool and also placed some Raid Food Moth Paper above the aquarium, which contains a kind of pheromone which attracts them and they stick on the adhesive surface.

I have not been able to control the infestation and those suckers now are in the numbers of thousands, and can be found everywhere in my house. Even if I change the filter wool (the source of the problem I presume as they lay their eggs there) every 2 days, I cannot keep them under control.

My LFS has no clue how to deal with this. Please help if you have any ideas on how to destroy these moths as they have taken all over my aquarium and my house!!

Thanks!

 

[beblondie]

Your gonna need a professional exterminator

 

[vibe]

This was the first thing that came to mind - but wouldn't a professional exterminator use chemicals that might actually harm the aquarium environment?

Is there any other remedy I can try?

 

[Natural_Born_Killer]

Are you certain that is the main source?

I also think you should probably get a pro in, at least for an inspection.

 

[paopanlilio]

do research and find a natural predator

 

[vibe]

I am pretty positive that is the source. When I open the top cover of one of my filters (haven't checked my canister filters yet) I can see a load - and I mean a LOAD! - of black larvae residing on the top of the filter wool moving. It's pretty disgusting TBH. AFAIK my fish don't eat this larvae.

I will try to get a professional in for an inspection, although I have my concerns as I mentioned before..

 

[vibe]

do research and find a natural predator

The only approach that seems to be working is either a kind of local bird we have in Cyprus that eats the larvae/moth (wouldn't dare to keep it inside the house or near the aquarium anyway!!) or the pheromone way I mentioned on the adhesive strips.

I will try to get an entomologist to look into other means of control. "Professional" Exterminators - i.e. an exterminator who wouldn't kill all my fish along the larvae - would be difficult to locate where I live.

Thank you for your responses.

 

[vibe]

Followup:

Just had a talk with a friend who owns an LFS - he suggested the use of Waterlife Paragon to eliminate them. Should I give it a go and see what happens?