Bugs

[THEELEG]

Getting little bugs in my tank, don't leave food in there and clean poop when see it. Any ideas?

 

[fanofthedog]

Use diatomaceous earth (make sure it says food grade) If you mix it with your substrate the bugs will go away! You can buy on amazon

 

[THEELEG]

Use diatomaceous earth (make sure it says food grade) If you mix it with your substrate the bugs will go away! You can buy on amazon

Awesome thank you

 

[Pearly]

I hardly ever see poop in there (the babies always go while exercising outside; and the food is left in there all the time (unless it's a meat/protein day). I have learned to live with bugs but the only ones I have in there are the ones I have put in there myself: earthworms, pillbugs and their offspring, and lately noticed little snail I must have brought in with one of the plants from my garden. Tiny soil centipedes just sort of "appeared" but they also do great job being a part of this clean up crew. I like live plants so had to learn to be ok with "non-sterile" tank. I have learned in my gardening work that trying to keep things bug-free is a never ending battle. Instead I started aiming for creating environment where the nature deals with all the pests and diseases. Used to have a cabinet full of sprays for every bug and every disease plants would get. Got rid of those long time ago, and can spend much more time enjoying my garden now rather than chasing bugs or treating for mildew, rust or other things. One think I wanted to mention about my bioactive substrate in case you were curious: those substrate critters stay in there. There's no crawling out of the tank to invade my daughter's bedroom. I guess they have everything they need/like right there: food in abundance, water, shelter, perfect climatic conditions.

 

[wellington]

Baking or boiling your substrate before using will keep bugs away or way down

 

[Rue]

Freezing too...

 

[Speedy-1]

I see a few off and on , not really enough to get excited about . They are not harmful , so I leave them alone !

 

[fanofthedog]

I had little gnats and crickets. The crickets loved it in there. The gnats we annoying and I believe they get in the eyes of the tortoises and are annoying so the diamateceous earth was perfect! I love learning os many tips here!!!