Bugs...

Pittylova · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:34 PM

Ok, so how do you be rid of bugs before adding the plants? I was given a bunch of plants that haven't yet been planted and as soon as I brought them in I have little gnatty looking bugs flying around.

JohnEDove · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:45 PM

Don't know what you have but I rinse off the plants completely, even remove all the soil from the roots and re-plant in the terrarium.
The rinsing should remove whatever they are.

Pittylova · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:51 PM

I'm going to put them outside tonight and hose them down in the morning. It's a huge variety of stuff and I'm not sure which it's coming from. They may have to be outdoor plants until I get the viv built. At least a few of them because they're too tall for the tank.

Green Ghost · #4 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 03:18 AM

If these are potted (land) plants then you can remove them from the pots and give them a warm water bath, roots and all. Most bugs will drop off the plant immediately and drown in the warm water. Don't leave the plant in the warm water for more than a minute. Rinse off the plant in cold water for a one or two minutes afterwards. It will need to be repotted. Hot water can kill a plant so judge the water temperature carefully. If you want to re-use the original earth that the plant came with you could bake it in an oven to kill any bugs in there. Just put the plants' roots in cold water in the meantime. As an unadvised shortcut I nuke the earth in the microwave. But "do it at your own risk" as the man says.

Evilwezal · #5 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 04:25 AM

I've read that flooding the tank with CO2 will wipe out all the little critters you dont want,but of course you'd want to remove your pets. you can use dry ice to accomplise this. Apparently a side benefit is your plants will love the C02 boost.

Pavel · #6 (**permalink**) 07-19-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilwezal

I've read that flooding the tank with CO2 will wipe out all the little critters you dont want,but of course you'd want to remove your pets. you can use dry ice to accomplise this. Apparently a side benefit is your plants will love the C02 boost.

I haven't found that to be 100% successful in eradicating snails, unfortunately.