RE sticky traps for bugs ** Please read

Crabby Abby · Post by **Crabby Abby** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 1:00 am

I would like to respond to the use of sticky traps inside tanks.I personally wouldn't do it because they're curious and determined crabs and master climbers and it's much too risky but should you opt to, please take every precaution to locate it in a spot that can't be reached in any way possible. Hermit crabs climb airline tubing, sealant, suction cups, stand on the rims of caddies, climb on each other like totem poles (someone once posted a photo of a crab standing on a tower of 3 companions totem pole style), and have been seen standing spreadeagle sideways to extend their reach. While a shell stuck to a trap might be stressful to a crab should they become stuck by an eye, antennae, claw or one of the feeders below the mouth that pass food it can lead to physical harm not to mention what might come of trying to unstick them and the toxicity of the glue itself.I also worry about some kind of odor buildup in a closed tank.Please be careful. It would tear my heart out to read from someone, 'I never thought...' or 'I didn't think they could reach'.

CrabbieLover1031:D · Post by **CrabbieLover1031:D** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:14 am

Thanks CA!! Will Not put in fly traps!

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:19 am

that's why mine when I have put them in are way out of reach even the 3 crabs I have stacked on top of each other couldn't even reach them, not even stretching their legs out they couldn't even begin to touch them. They are no where near any climbing toys, woods, ect they are by the spot where there is air vents. It was in desperation that I did this and drastic measures I could not get rid of the gnats and flies, after leaving it the TOM CAT glue strip duct taped to the top of my 55 gallon tank side ways to the back of my tank for a few days I had over 50 gnats! They are all gone now & it's removed.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:36 am

I personally would never recommend or use a sticky trap because I've had hermit crabs get into places around the lid of my tank that I never thought would be accessible to them but they found a way some how so even if don't think they can reach odds are they will eventually find a way given enough time and room to wiggle.

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 3:53 pm

crabber85 how big are your crabs? The size of mine & the set up of my tank & size of my tank I assure you there is NO way they could get to it, would I put a reg hunk of Tom Cat bug sticky paper in a 10 gal tank with a bunch small crabs and vines & toys, NO! You have to use the noggin God gave you. I have a 55 gallon, and a spot where there is nothing around and they are big clunky crabs. But I guess it's like we say it's what information we get & we choose to use for our crabs, it worked for me. I don't take responsibility for someone else that uses the info I gave and it don't work for them. I have read about other post about arguements on using things for crabs that were said to of harmed crabs but people say they use them and had no ill effects. slime coat or no slime coat, aloe or no aloe vera, reg apples from the store just no peels or has to be organic ect...I feel this just falls into one of those catagories.

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 3:29 pm

Laurie my crabs range from tiny up to jumbo and its the larger crabs I have an issue with oddly enough.My smaller guys stay hidden underground and my larger ones like to climb the decor and get into all sorts of mischief.lol

Barbydoll · Post by **Barbydoll** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 4:23 pm

So scraping the surface off and then spraying Salt water on the surface to keep the flying gnats killed doesnt work?

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:02 pm

If you mean the top layer of sub then yes thats what I've done in the past and it worked but here lately I haven't seen any gnats or fruit flies anywhere but in the kitchen because of my moms bananas.

Laurie LeAnn · Post by **Laurie LeAnn** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 6:11 pm

nope it didn't work for me, the salt water spraying. npw they are back since I took it out & I'm pretty sure I have some ants in there AGAIN! I put vasaline around the top to keep any more from getting in! Don't know what I'm going to do if I get any more ants! I had 3 good months with out them!

Crabber85 · Post by **Crabber85** » Mon Aug 15, 2011 6:13 pm

Oh I feel for you this has to be nerve wracking not knowing when these little pests will strike again.

Brettðin · Post by **Brettðin** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:55 am

I sometimes have fruitflies. To catch them I use a tall jar with plastic wrap on it. Poke small holes in the plastic, and place fruit or apple vinegar to kill the flies. Yeast espesially helps but it is smelly. I then use the fruit flies to feed my treefrogs and fish.