[Cynosoura]

Howdy all - just found out I've got a snail, spider, and worm thing brewing in one of my newer vivarium. It's been set up for about 3 months, this week discovered snails and and what look like miniature inch worms. Snails are, I think, are Zonitoides arboreus but not 100%. Arrggh.

The worms don't look "nemotode-like" but there are quite a number of them. They're very small, averaging around 3 mm but some are getting in that 7-8 mm range.

The spiders...the spiders freak me out. These were UNDER the monkeypods, don't see any webs, and haven't a clue as to species. They're tiny, maybe 4-5 mm total with a body about 2 mm. Anyone have ideas on if these are OK to have in vivarium?

I've pulled half a dozen snails out - the biggest so far is less than 5 mm, smallest around 1-2 mm. Figuring...I'm only seeing a fraction of what's in there? So far seem only attracted to the dart frog droppings/decomposing leaf litter Vs plants, but concerned. Have the "lettuce trap" trying to attract/pull out. Anyone have suggestions?

The worms are about 4-5 mm, and definitely look like "inch worms" only...tinier. Anyone have any thoughts on where to look these up?

Are any of these dangerous to the frogs? Plants...don't seem to be affected. I'm trying to avoid nuking the vivarium as everything seems to be thriving, including the 4 d. auratus.

Thanks in advance for any insights!!

 

[Josh loves dart frogs]

Were any of the plants/decor disinfected before use? I made a mistake of not doing that and luckily, I haven’t found any unwanted pests yet… Maybe co2 bomb? It’ll help plants and as long as you take the frogs out and put them in a temporary enclosure it should be fine.

 

[Cynosoura]

Were any of the plants/decor disinfected before use? I made a mistake of not doing that and luckily, I haven’t found any unwanted pests yet… Maybe co2 bomb? It’ll help plants and as long as you take the frogs out and put them in a temporary enclosure it should be fine.

I do the prep work on the plants, and for the bark/monkeypods I bake for 45 minutes at around 400 degrees. From the same vendor have another vivarium with no issues. Now that I think on it...there is ONE plant that I only did a cursory inspection/planted. I'm beside myself. Hadn't thought of the CO2 bomb. That's definitely something to look into. Would that also kill isopods and springtails?

Thanks!!

 

[Josh loves dart frogs]

I do the prep work on the plants, and for the bark/monkeypods I bake for 45 minutes at around 400 degrees. From the same vendor have another vivarium with no issues. Now that I think on it...there is ONE plant that I only did a cursory inspection/planted. I'm beside myself. Hadn't thought of the CO2 bomb. That's definitely something to look into. Would that also kill isopods and springtails?

Thanks!!

Yes it would kill isopods and springtails, and you can’t take a chunk of the substrate and place it in a new tub since that could get some of the pests. I would recommend setting up a tub with substrate NOT from the tank and grabbing isopods manually. Not munch you can do with springtails

 

[Cynosoura]

Yes it would kill isopods and springtails, and you can’t take a chunk of the substrate and place it in a new tub since that could get some of the pests. I would recommend setting up a tub with substrate NOT from the tank and grabbing isopods manually. Not munch you can do with springtails

Right. That makes sense. Off to get vinegar, baking soda, tubing and gear (no one sells dry ice near me) and start putting together isolation bins. I've springtail cultures and will look to purchase replacement isopods. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Josh loves dart frogs]

Right. That makes sense. Off to get vinegar, baking soda, tubing and gear (no one sells dry ice near me) and start putting together isolation bins. I've springtail cultures and will look to purchase replacement isopods. Thanks for the advice!

I wouldn’t start doing everything just yet. Wait for other more experienced people to chime in. Maybe they’re an alternative to dry icing. I’m saying everything based on what other more experienced people have said

 

[bulbophyllum]

I would just wait and see if things settle out. But, I would start picking snails an maybe set traps for them or bait them and pull the bait and snails.

 

[Cynosoura]

I would just wait and see if things settle out. But, I would start picking snails an maybe set traps for them or bait them and pull the bait and snails.

Understood. Work is crazy this week and next, so it's going to be a bit before going the CO2 bomb route. Unable to pull the worms, as they are impossibly small and teeming. Pulled all the monkeypods and will be going through another baking process on them as that seemed where they congregated. Still trying to identify these worms but they also don't seem to be pestering the plants. If they're not bugging (pun intended) the plants and aren't a danger to the frogs...may just leave? Frogs not old enough to start breeding (think it's 1 female and 3 males...which isn't great) but also don't have room for more frogs anyway, so plan on pulling any eggs from here. Thanks for your thoughts!!

 

[bulbophyllum]

millipedes

 

[Socratic Monologue]

there is ONE plant that I only did a cursory inspection/planted

The only two vivs I ever had with problematic pests each had one untreated plant go in.

CO2 bombs sometimes work, sometimes don't (never worked for me, and I have tanks and a flowmeter). If the pests don't actually harm anything (or the harm can be minimized, as by only using snail resistant plants), it may be best to just let things work themselves out.

 

[Cynosoura]

millipedes

Ah. Well here's hoping the unknown spider and those worms fight it out! Any ideas on if I should remove and if so...how one might go about it? Definitely appreciate your thoughts on the matter!

 

[bulbophyllum]

Any ideas on if I should remove and if so...how one might go about it

I have tried crushing them every time I see them. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad approach. Somethings have a population bloom until the resources are depleated and then they die out. So, killing them could prolong the infestation. Sometimes putting pressure on the population finally wipes them out. It's kinda your call.

 

[ERN]

Howdy all - just found out I've got a snail, spider, and worm thing brewing in one of my newer vivarium. It's been set up for about 3 months, this week discovered snails and and what look like miniature inch worms. Snails are, I think, are Zonitoides arboreus but not 100%. Arrggh.

The worms don't look "nemotode-like" but there are quite a number of them. They're very small, averaging around 3 mm but some are getting in that 7-8 mm range.

The spiders...the spiders freak me out. These were UNDER the monkeypods, don't see any webs, and haven't a clue as to species. They're tiny, maybe 4-5 mm total with a body about 2 mm. Anyone have ideas on if these are OK to have in vivarium?

I've pulled half a dozen snails out - the biggest so far is less than 5 mm, smallest around 1-2 mm. Figuring...I'm only seeing a fraction of what's in there? So far seem only attracted to the dart frog droppings/decomposing leaf litter Vs plants, but concerned. Have the "lettuce trap" trying to attract/pull out. Anyone have suggestions?

The worms are about 4-5 mm, and definitely look like "inch worms" only...tinier. Anyone have any thoughts on where to look these up?

Are any of these dangerous to the frogs? Plants...don't seem to be affected. I'm trying to avoid nuking the vivarium as everything seems to be thriving, including the 4 d. auratus.

Thanks in advance for any insights!!
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Snails eat some plants and not others. I had them in all my tanks for over two years with no problems until they went after my maidenhair fern. So if they aren't a problem I would suggest live and let live.


I got rid of mine when I made springtail food from equal parts rice and whey protein powder and a touch of multivitamin ground in a spice grinder and it turned out the snails liked it too. I would check on the food and pulled out as many as 7 snails a day. This went on for about 3 weeks. I had no idea there were that many snails.
Whatever snail removal method you use, I would say if you aren't getting rid of at least 3 snails a day you're wasting your time.



Here is a good link to making a CO2 bomb:

Building and Using a Co2 Generator

The Use Of CO2 In The Frog Hobby There are several avenues or areas that we could use CO2 in our hobby. Killing bugs and slugs in new plants before they are introduced to a tank. Killing bugs and slugs in existing tanks. You might need to gas a tank several times in order to get rid of them...

www.dendroboard.com

If you want to get rid of the worms I suggest you remove as much substrate as possible so the CO2 can reach them. That still might not be effective though.

Like others have suggested see what other advice you get and see if these things are actually a problem. You might end up doing more harm than good.

 

[Harpspiel]

Snails eat some plants and not others. I had them in all my tanks for over two years with no problems until they went after my maidenhair fern. So if they aren't a problem I would suggest live and let live.

I agree, these little spiral-shelled snails (called bush snails, but that may cover a variety of species) are generally only harmful to specific plants. Jewel orchids are supposed to be really susceptible to snails, although I’ve had them thrive before in a grow bin that I know has snails. Ferns tend to be susceptible as well. But snails aren’t the end of the world - slugs do much more damage.

 

[JasonE]

CO2 bombs rarely do anything but kill isopods and springtails. They really don't work on any major pest. And some pests can seal themselves in a mucus and then just re-emerge when the CO2 dissipates. It would probably kill those spiders though.

If you want them gone the only option is to tear the entire tank down.

 

[LucasET76]

Not 100% sure, but the little guys look like juvenile Oxidus gracilis, the greenhouse millipede.

 

[Cynosoura]

Snails eat some plants and not others. I had them in all my tanks for over two years with no problems until they went after my maidenhair fern. So if they aren't a problem I would suggest live and let live.


I got rid of mine when I made springtail food from equal parts rice and whey protein powder and a touch of multivitamin ground in a spice grinder and it turned out the snails liked it too. I would check on the food and pulled out as many as 7 snails a day. This went on for about 3 weeks. I had no idea there were that many snails.
Whatever snail removal method you use, I would say if you aren't getting rid of at least 3 snails a day you're wasting your time.



Here is a good link to making a CO2 bomb:

Building and Using a Co2 Generator

The Use Of CO2 In The Frog Hobby There are several avenues or areas that we could use CO2 in our hobby. Killing bugs and slugs in new plants before they are introduced to a tank. Killing bugs and slugs in existing tanks. You might need to gas a tank several times in order to get rid of them...

www.dendroboard.com

If you want to get rid of the worms I suggest you remove as much substrate as possible so the CO2 can reach them. That still might not be effective though.

Like others have suggested see what other advice you get and see if these things are actually a problem. You might end up doing more harm than good.

Thank you for the advice and the "how to" link for CO2 bomb! I'm plucking snails as see them, and keeping an eye on the plants. They all seem to be doing well so may be, like you said, a "live and let live" moment. I like the springtail food mix! Was looking to find something other than baker's yeast. That sounds perfect. Thanks again!!

 

[Cynosoura]

Not 100% sure, but the little guys look like juvenile Oxidus gracilis, the greenhouse millipede.

Oh...that's definitely a strong candidate! The positive news is caught a frog eating one of the small ones. Will definitely keep an eye out to ensure don't approach "infestation" levels. Thanks!!

 

[Apoplast]

I've pulled half a dozen snails out - the biggest so far is less than 5 mm, smallest around 1-2 mm. Figuring...I'm only seeing a fraction of what's in there? So far seem only attracted to the dart frog droppings/decomposing leaf litter Vs plants, but concerned. Have the "lettuce trap" trying to attract/pull out. Anyone have suggestions?

This might sound like an odd question, but do the snails have a particular aroma when crushed?

 

[ERN]

This might sound like an odd question, but do the snails have a particular aroma when crushed?

I've never noticed one. They are pretty small too. Even if they made a smell it would be limited