I have kept reptiles for over 20 years and never had a problem with roaches before so I'm a little freaked out. My leopard tortoise enclosure has what appears to be German roaches babies. I am seeking recommendations how to get rid of these. First I don't want to remove the bedding and have them scatter about the house but also know eggs will be left behind. Is prevent a mite safe or even work? DE? I want to be rid of them for good but safley. Any suggestions???
Ekk! Help with pest control!
- Thread starter Dkozi7
- Start date
Is there some way that you can pick up the enclosure and take it outside? If not, here's what I suggest. Get a box of baking soda and sprinkle it all around the perimeter of the enclosure. When roaches eat it they die. You won't have a problem with roaches anymore. It's safe, but I wouldn't let the torts see it so that they don't eat it. Bury it under the substrate.
How large is the enclosure?
Can you get a pic of the offending insect? Do you have adult german roaches running around?
I hope you didn't go through all of that trouble over some simple springtails or similar bug. That's probably why Tom wanted to confirm the pest ID...
Unless you see adult German roaches, I would not suggest you were infested with their young ones.
Next time, try to photograph or video the pest and confirm the ID before determining treatment. Could save you time and money.
I've used DE as an outdoor pest deterrent, I'm sure it could help indoors too.
It looses it's efficacy when wet.
Is the enclosure somewhat in your house, garage, patio? Bc, if it is, and you saw its babies, it's possible you have adults in the house, garage, patio. And, just because you don't see adults in the house, doesn't mean there aren't any. I may consider putting that baking soda in areas where you think they can hide (water sources, warm areas like stove, and under kitchen cabinets. Sorry.
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One thing to note, is that while many people find roaches unpleasant, they are not harmful in any way to your tortoises. They are harmless detrivores just like the springtails, substrate flies and silverfish you might also see.
Do you see little brown egg cases like these laying around:
Do you see little brown egg cases like these laying around:
Also, What color are the insects you've seen and approx how many millimeters were they in total length?
They ranged from about a quarter of an inch up to 1/2 inch and were brown. Moved very quickly like a roach. The enclosure was in the house. I wonder if they came from the cypress mulch bedding or spagnum moss. Anyone recommend another humidity holding substrate?
M
Maggie Cummings
Guest
I've used orchid bark for my enclosures in the house and I've only ever had springtails. They are not harmful. Every so often I pour boiling water all over the substrate to kill whatever bugs are there. Are you sure they aren't just springtails?
If you see another one, take your own photo. People often have a hard time iding insects. You may indeed have German cockroaches, like the above photo, but it's possible it was something else too. Having cockroaches appear in an indoor enclosure without having seen them in your home is rather surprising, but I suppose not impossible. Most invertebrates that arrive with substrate are harmless and even potentially beneficial. I understand the aversion though. Baking substrate is one good way to kill eggs, but I find hard to do in the quantity I require.
