Calling all moss users

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:13 pm

Hey all,Of those of you who use moss, have you had any problems with bugs? I recently introduced moss to the crabitat. I made a tree out of it with a jungle vine, put a bit in the corner for munching and hiding, and it's done wonderful things for the humidity.Last night I found the most miniscule bugs in the tank when I lifted out the dish. They were in the FB substrate nearly the depth of it and at the base of the climbing wall. I assumed it to be because of spilled food, but I read a thread from someone who said they had bugs because of moss so I'm wondering if that's one persons perspective or if there's truth to it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:26 pm

Any time I use a substrate that is really moist, I get hundreds of gnats. That could be it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:27 am

I use moss in my tank on top of the UTH and in a dish, and just some scattered around, and haven't had any problems so far. I did wet it with Salt water though. Maybe thats why.

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:48 am

quote:I did wet it with Salt water though. I did too, so maybe that wasn't the cause. I keep the tank clean but I'm sure I don't find everying they bury.Maybe I should give Sammy back his tree...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:39 pm

Oh ?? What kind of moss are you using ??I think my crabs might like !! Heres a thought for you as well, I keep my Parakeets bird seed in the freezer to keep bugs out of it. Maybe if we freeze the moss overnight before putting it in the tank it might kill any bugs that came with it !

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 2:38 pm

I bought spaghnum moss in the reptile dept. of Petco after I saw it on Kerie's list of edible foods. It really improved the humidity and Sammy really loved to sit on the top of the tree. I made a tree! He claimed it for his own and sat there for 3 days when he first climbed it.I have more moss in the package and haven't noticed any bugs on it. I don't know that freezing it wouldn't ruin it for snacking though. Maybe Kerie could answer that. I'll PM and ask her unless she spots this and answers here.

Jedediah · Post by **Jedediah** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:57 pm

Freezing should be okay. I know that crabs love frozen and thawed roses, so I guess the moss will be good for eating after freezing it, too.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 4:42 am

I used to use moss and it really helped with the humidity. I got rid of it when I did a major tank clean and changed all the substrate, and just never replaced it. They like to hide under it. I found some bugs on a piece of bark when I cleaned but I don't know that they were from the moss. Since I got rid of all natural bark and moss and coco fiber I don't have any bugs at all. They climb on rough rocks, plastic towers, or coco huts now. I did that to try and curb whatever mystery illness was killing my crabs.