Any Advice on keeping Future Pests out of my Crested Geckos cage?

[CrestedL]

Where I live, spring will be approaching in a few more months, and along with the spring comes all the bugs too. In the past I have had mosquito infestations in my room along with other bugs, but this was before my crested gecko and now I'm afraid that if the bugs come back they could pick off of him as he is an easier target. If anyone can give me any advice on what they have done for mite, bug, or pest control for their crested geckos, (or other types if the same treatments work for all geckos) I would really appreciate it as I am preparing now for before spring is here

 

[acpart]

I am in New England and the only problem I have had with pests have been the following:
--occasional infestations of grain mites in my cricket and mealworm gut load. These are not the kind of mites that infest reptiles and only caused problems for the feeders. I was able to control it with lots of washing out of containers in very hot water
--occasional infestations of carpenter ants in my cricket tank. The ants were more interested in carrying off the gut load grain than in the crickets. I took care of it by killing all the ants I could find and coating the top of the cricket tank with spray oil so the ants couldn't get into the tank.

There are a number of bugs in the crestie tank including springtails and isopods but these clean up the poop so they are not a problem.

Aliza

 

[CrestedL]

I am in New England and the only problem I have had with pests have been the following:
--occasional infestations of grain mites in my cricket and mealworm gut load. These are not the kind of mites that infest reptiles and only caused problems for the feeders. I was able to control it with lots of washing out of containers in very hot water
--occasional infestations of carpenter ants in my cricket tank. The ants were more interested in carrying off the gut load grain than in the crickets. I took care of it by killing all the ants I could find and coating the top of the cricket tank with spray oil so the ants couldn't get into the tank.

There are a number of bugs in the crestie tank including springtails and isopods but these clean up the poop so they are not a problem.

Aliza

Im so sorry that I didn't get a chance to respond late night, but thank you so much for your comment. The funny thing is I happen to live about in New England so this information is perfect . If you don't get a chance to answer this it's okay, but could I ask? Where are key places to look for the bugs just in case so I can keep a look at those places? Once again, thank you so much for the help ^_^

 

[acpart]

Note that all the bugs I've had to deal with are not in the gecko cage, but are in the feeder enclosures, so that's one place to look. If you have your crested gecko on paper towels I doubt you'll find bugs. If you keep a planted enclosure, you may find some bugs in the dirt. If they are small and white then they are springtails and are fine to be in there because they eat the poop. If you see tiny bugs crawling on the gecko, that may be mites and you can search the internet for techniques to remove them (this is generally not a problem with captive bred cresties).

Aliza

 

[Tongue Flicker]

Hmm no cresties but i can share some off-limit pest tips since I live in two pest-haven countries lol

1. Get a pot of marigold and a pot of citronella plant placed near where your enclosure is. They repel fungus gnats, fruit flies and mosquitoes for some reason.

2. Get a mosquito lamp. Here they only cost less than $10 ($6 exactly if converted to dollars) and they cost as much as you would on a 7-watt incandescent bulb that you'd use on your kitchen for a monthly bill.

3. Get a cotton ball, drench it in mineral or baby oil and swab it gently on your drainage and vent holes to discourage ants and flies from getting in. Reapplying as needed or as you see fit.

4. For pests in the substrate, might as well order isopods & springtails online.

 

[CrestedL]

Note that all the bugs I've had to deal with are not in the gecko cage, but are in the feeder enclosures, so that's one place to look. If you have your crested gecko on paper towels I doubt you'll find bugs. If you keep a planted enclosure, you may find some bugs in the dirt. If they are small and white then they are springtails and are fine to be in there because they eat the poop. If you see tiny bugs crawling on the gecko, that may be mites and you can search the internet for techniques to remove them (this is generally not a problem with captive bred cresties).

Aliza

Thankyou so much your info saved me a lot of worrying

 

[CrestedL]

Hmm no cresties but i can share some off-limit pest tips since I live in two pest-haven countries lol

1. Get a pot of marigold and a pot of citronella plant placed near where your enclosure is. They repel fungus gnats, fruit flies and mosquitoes for some reason.

2. Get a mosquito lamp. Here they only cost less than $10 ($6 exactly if converted to dollars) and they cost as much as you would on a 7-watt incandescent bulb that you'd use on your kitchen for a monthly bill.

3. Get a cotton ball, drench it in mineral or baby oil and swab it gently on your drainage and vent holes to discourage ants and flies from getting in. Reapplying as needed or as you see fit.

4. For pests in the substrate, might as well order isopods & springtails online.

Thankyou for your info too. I have my Riley on paper towels so the smaller bugs shouldn't be hard to spot or keep out, but il remember this for prevention of i see any signs of this

 

[CrestedRick]

I also live in NE and the only issues I've had with bugs and my cresties (according to my mom) were fruit gnats. Come to find out it wasn't my geckos at all! They were coming from the by of potatoes downstairs! I have Isopods and springtails in my tanks, they help with mold and breaking down the poop.

 

[CrestedL]

I also live in NE and the only issues I've had with bugs and my cresties (according to my mom) were fruit gnats. Come to find out it wasn't my geckos at all! They were coming from the by of potatoes downstairs! I have Isopods and springtails in my tanks, they help with mold and breaking down the poop.

The Isopods and springtails dont harm your gecko at all?

 

[acpart]

Not in the least.

Aliza