Tiny little flying black bugs

[Elise.m]

I'm using Cypress Mulch that I got from the reptile shop down the road. The reptile shop is very reliable, the guy who owns it is the creator of Reptilegeeks.com, so needless to say, I trust him.

I just put the mulch in my tank yesterday, and since then I've seen these itsy bitsy black flying bugs around the house. I don't keep any fruits or vegetables outside of the fridge, so I know it's not from that. Now I've been contemplating putting more mulch in the tank, I picked up one of the hides and out came a little bug!

They're a bit smaller than gnats, but they could be gnats, I'm not sure. Should I be worried about this? Maybe the mulch is too humid? I don't know what's going on

[piper]

For me, I've put stuff in the oven for a few minutes before.. it can get smelly though but it will make sure nothing is living!

[Bobsean]

I had this problem about two weeks ago. Not with Cyprus mulch but rather with pine shavings used as bedding for my uneaten feeder mice.

The water bottle for the mice leaked and soaked the pine. A few days later i had those little black bugs every where in my apartment. I traced there source to the wet pine and disposed of it.

I keep the unused pine elsewhere in a bag, and everything seems fine, no black bugs. This makes me think that they are moisture activated. So maybe replace your substrate and reduce the humidity in your snake enclosure?

Hope it works out!

[CopperNightShade]

Sphaerocerid flies or drain flies likely! Both like wet and damp and dark, as well as organic material that is going bad.

These little guys are determined, so a change of substrate is needed at this point, as they are already using it as a breeding ground. I would wipe out the tank/cage thoroughly as well, before throwing in any more. In addition, you need to kill the adults before they adopt any new substrate you put in. Put out bowls of vinegar with a tiny bit of dish soap mixed in around your tank. The vinegar will attract any adults and the soap will drown them. Change the bowls every two or three days and keep them out til the adults are gone.

I wouldn't blame your reptile shop, by the way. These flies probably came from the drains in you house, or outside.

[HypoPita]

Sphaerocerid flies or drain flies likely! Both like wet and damp and dark, as well as organic material that is going bad.

These little guys are determined, so a change of substrate is needed at this point, as they are already using it as a breeding ground. I would wipe out the tank/cage thoroughly as well, before throwing in any more. In addition, you need to kill the adults before they adopt any new substrate you put in. Put out bowls of vinegar with a tiny bit of dish soap mixed in around your tank. The vinegar will attract any adults and the soap will drown them. Change the bowls every two or three days and keep them out til the adults are gone.

I wouldn't blame your reptile shop, by the way. These flies probably came from the drains in you house, or outside.

I had a HUGE problem with those things back home, but with my plants. They completely infested. That soap and vinegar worked pretty well. It might take a very long while. but chuck that substrate. Just watch out becuase it will seem like they are all gone...then the leftover eggs will hatch and you are swarmed again. Its not fun

[Elise.m]

Well, that sucks cuz I just bought the bag, and haven't even gotten the snake yet. and that bag was $25!

Does the vinegar with dish soap act as a bug killer, or is it just a quick fix for the ones that are air born?

Also, I have no way of lowering my humidity cuz the only thing that's keeping it at 50% is the substrate. I suppose once I get new substrate, I can fix it.

[I<3Dreamsicles]

For me, I've put stuff in the oven for a few minutes before.. it can get smelly though but it will make sure nothing is living!

lol. can you recommend a temperature? Today I washed my "Repti-Bark" but idk if it did the job. It did get rid of alot of dust though

[CopperNightShade]

The soap and vinegar will kill all the airborne ones, but won't work as a bug killer for the cypress bark.

Putting the substrate in the oven might help, but it might also burn down your house. Boiling it will invite fungus and mold... running it through the dryer in a laundry bag will screw up your dryer. In short, I am sorry, but ya gotta chuck it.

Something else... I would look into Boric Acid. I know it isn't dangerous to mammals, but I have no idea about reptiles. It will kill any bug, though. Ask your local vet if you can use it around the snake. If so, mix a bit into the new substrate you get to prevent reinfestation.

[I<3Dreamsicles]

The soap and vinegar will kill all the airborne ones, but won't work as a bug killer for the cypress bark.

Putting the substrate in the oven might help, but it might also burn down your house. Boiling it will invite fungus and mold... running it through the dryer in a laundry bag will screw up your dryer. In short, I am sorry, but ya gotta chuck it.

Something else... I would look into Boric Acid. I know it isn't dangerous to mammals, but I have no idea about reptiles. It will kill any bug, though. Ask your local vet if you can use it around the snake. If so, mix a bit into the new substrate you get to prevent reinfestation.

No you really dont have to chuck it. They dont even know if the bugs came from the bark. Theyre all over the house and one happened to be in the tank. Secondly, You dont have to BOIL it, you can rinse it with water

[CopperNightShade]

No you really dont have to chuck it. They dont even know if the bugs came from the bark. Theyre all over the house and one happened to be in the tank. Secondly, You dont have to BOIL it, you can rinse it with water

Rinsing it won't get rid of the eggs. They are attached to the bark with organic glue that the female flies secrete. Water alone won't touch it. And as I said (if you read my post) it shouldn't be boiled cause that will cause more harm than good.

Look. If you want to wipe out the flies quickly and completely, then change the substrate. You want to take the chance that they haven't used it as a breeding ground then don't change it. But the issue may linger, and delay your purchase of your new baby. -shrug- Your decision.