Bugs

[nicoleann2214]

FOUND A PHOTO LOL @Srmcclure

 

[nicoleann2214]

Really nice pics of springtails!

There are many kinds, they look different depending on species and age. They are weensy non-harmful arthropods, not bugs. =DD

They're super beneficial...they eat mold and detritus. If you feel you are overrun, check your cleaning/feeding routine.

Interestingly, they usually arrive via bags of substrate (because it is their food/home). Changing sub may seem to solve the problem until the newbies establish a reproductive culture.

Yeah I figured. Hopefully I can figure it out because if it’s just a spring tail then I don’t care if it lives in there. I will be trying to take a better pic tomorrow and hopefully you guys can solve it lol.

 

[Srmcclure]

FOUND A PHOTO LOL @Srmcclure

Oh thats a weird one! Wtf...

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

It was an orange centipede looking thing. Exactly like this one but HUGE.

That is a house centipede (creative naming). they are mostly harmless

 

[nicoleann2214]

That is a house centipede (creative naming). they are mostly harmless

Yes that’s what I found in her cage like a month ago. I killed it. LOL OOPS. I’d prefer to not have bugs ?

 

[Srmcclure]

That is a house centipede (creative naming). they are mostly harmless

Mostly??

 

[SasquatchTortoise]

since a few people are here, question- where can I get cypress mulch in bulk

 

[nicoleann2214]

I found one of those bigger black Beatles in mine once. The ones that hang out by water heaters. Bleh! I got it out and then, because I hate anything like even remotely looks like a roach, I did the cringy bug dance ? might be sneaking in the small space where we tie all the vents up for out cords...

Do you have spring tails?

 

[Srmcclure]

since a few people are here, question- where can I get cypress mulch in bulk

I get mine at home depot for like $4 something for 3cf

 

[ZenHerper]

Yeah I figured. Hopefully I can figure it out because if it’s just a spring tail then I don’t care if it lives in there. I will be trying to take a better pic tomorrow and hopefully you guys can solve it lol.

People pay serious money for them...

*ka-ching!*

 

[Srmcclure]

Do you have spring tails?

Yea, I have springtails and rollie pollies. I also get those dang gnats sometimes ?

 

[nicoleann2214]

Yea, I have springtails and rollie pollies. I also get those dang gnats sometimes ?

Did you put Rollie’s in there? And yeah I use to have that problem with the stinking gnats.

 

[Srmcclure]

Did you put Rollie’s in there? And yeah I use to have that problem with the stinking gnats.

Yea I added them ? they help like the springtails, but imho are 1000x cuter ?

I hate them! I have traps for them, but how did you get rid of them?

 

[Krista S]

Do you have spring tails?

I had springtails once for about 2 weeks. I know people say they’re beneficial but they multiply like crazy ans I just couldn’t stand seeing them attack my tortoises food before he even got to it. I did a whole substrate change and they’ve never come back. You have to be very diligent in getting all food scraps and poop out. I’m about to move my guy to a 4ft x 6ft in a couple of weeks and it’s going to get a lot more challenging to keep it spotless.

 

[nicoleann2214]

Yea I added them ? they help like the springtails, but imho are 1000x cuter ?

I hate them! I have traps for them, but how did you get rid of them?

I mostly had the problem when I had my smaller enclosure but that was upstairs where they had a better chance of getting in. I threw out all of the old substrate and started fresh. But it’s hard when they multiply. Did you get sticky traps? I have those on all of my plants and it wicked helps. But you could also try putting apple cider vinager and dish soap around the enclosure ( out of reach of the tortoise) or outside of it and see if that helps.

 

[Krista S]

View attachment 317119 sorry if you are squeamish. I just thought this was neat

This is what nightmares are made of. If I dream about this creepy centipede tonight, you’re going to hear from me lol

 

[nicoleann2214]

I had springtails once for about 2 weeks. I know people say they’re beneficial but they multiply like crazy ans I just couldn’t stand seeing them attack my tortoises food before he even got to it. I did a whole substrate change and they’ve never come back. You have to be very diligent in getting all food scraps and poop out. I’m about to move my guy to a 4ft x 6ft in a couple of weeks and it’s going to get a lot more challenging to keep it spotless.

What do you use for substrate? And believe it or not my tortoise RARELY poops in her cage. If you soak everyday and try to catch them before they poop it may help.

 

[Srmcclure]

I mostly had the problem when I had my smaller enclosure but that was upstairs where they had a better chance of getting in. I threw out all of the old substrate and started fresh. But it’s hard when they multiply. Did you get sticky traps? I have those on all of my plants and it wicked helps. But you could also try putting apple cider vinager and dish soap around the enclosure ( out of reach of the tortoise) or outside of it and see if that helps.

Yea, they are sticky traps zip corded to the top. That is definitely helping. We have to do the vinegar thing all year round here almost in Oklahoma ? hate those bugs...

 

[nicoleann2214]

This is what nightmares are made of. If I dream about this creepy centipede tonight, you’re going to hear from me lol

I’m sorry!!!?

 

[nicoleann2214]

Yea, they are sticky traps zip corded to the top. That is definitely helping. We have to do the vinegar thing all year round here almost in Oklahoma ? hate those bugs...

Me too!! My basements cold so they don’t wanna be down there ???