Flying ants in my reptile cage?

[Inteus]

I went to swap over my baby Jungle pythons water a few days ago and saw that there were some little bugs, they looked alot like ants with wings, I know that he doesn't have mites it must be something else, any suggestions on what to do? thanks.

 

[CrystalMoon]

Sounds like flying ants doesnt it? take some to the local pest control Man he will identify them for you
Crystal

 

[ittybitty]

Im having the same problem, tiny flies get through the mesh on one of my enclosures and hang around the lights.. Cant figure out how to stop them either.

 

[Chris]

I went to swap over my baby Jungle pythons water a few days ago and saw that there were some little bugs, they looked alot like ants with wings, I know that he doesn't have mites it must be something else, any suggestions on what to do? thanks.

I can possibly help you, can you take a photo of one of them close up? The reproductive's (called Alates) of both black ants & termites have wings & fly, they're also attracted to a light &/or heat source.

 

[mysnakesau]

Let the lizzies in there. They'll take care of them.

 

[Colin]

ants and termites swarm during spring and summer.. get some flyscreens on your windows

 

[Poggle]

Yes enjoy this time of year, with plenty of wet about we are sure to see some big numbers flying about

 

[Inteus]

I can possibly help you, can you take a photo of one of them close up? The reproductive's (called Alates) of both black ants & termites have wings & fly, they're also attracted to a light &/or heat source.

Yeah sure, I'll take one today and get back to you when i get home.

 

[Bluetongue1]

The flying ants and termites are bred and fed up over the previous spring and summer, then maintained over winter in readiness for the start of spring. Their task is to begin a new colony, so you actually have males and females. They swarm on the early hot days in spring, especially if there has been recent rain. Once they land and locate a member of the opposite sex they lose their wings. They are only a problem for a limited time. However, there are numerous other permanently winged insects around in spring and summer that are also attracted to light.

Like Colin says, try putting flyscreens on your windows. If that isn’t an option try covering your cage vents with flyscreen. Knitted shade-cloth is even smaller if you are having troubles with tiny insects. You can also buy an electronic bug zapper for the room. The bluish glow they give out is because they are very bright in the lower ultraviolet range which insects can see and are highly attracted to. They also make some excellent fly traps where you mix up a bit of brew and place it in the bottom. The flies are attracted in, cannot get out, exhaust themselves and eventually drown.

Blue

 

[Inteus]

Thanks guys, I dont really have a camera to take any photos but when i went to grab Monty(my jungle python) out of his cage this morning, i discovered a big cockroach against the wall... in his cage.. how that happened i do not know, i'm going to clean his cage today im happy nothing happened to him, hes still a baby and this cockroach is huge

 

[vampstorso]

The cockroach won't be interested in your snake. Where do you live?

I dunno...
A friend of a friend of mine had a snake once, and then onr day this cockroach sprawled out alongside it and started moving its mouth pieces...we reckon it was sizing the snake up.
We decided to ask a vet who confirmed the cockroach was sizing up her snake...like a piece of scaley saussage.




Hopefully everyone gets this is a joke


And OP, flying ants have a fun habbit of finding their way into everything >.<

 

[ianinoz]

Get an insect net , catch them , put them into a bottle and freeze them.

I'm betting any number of lizards would love chowing down on them. Very nutritous - ask chimpanses who raid their nests.

Wouldn't be hard if there is a good swarm to catch several thousand for freezing and storing for later for the lizies.