Gnats, Gnats, and more Gnats!

For the discussion of any creepy crawlies that may have taken up residence in your tank, including mites. Please note that isopods have their own forum.
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AddictedToCrabbos
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Gnats, Gnats, and more Gnats!

Post by AddictedToCrabbos » Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:27 pm

Dear HCA, Ive been looking at all the suggestions for how to get rid of gnats in my tank. I've tried dried foods, fly tape, vinegar traps, cleaning out the entire tank and replacing all the dirt, everything I can think of. And yet, after all of this, just a day later and at least a dozen gnats smashed, they keep coming back. I'm using coconut fiber for substrate, Ive got spragum moss in my tank, but removing it makes the tank lose its humidity. I keep the tank clean and maintain it every few days. Please help, I don't know what more I can do to get rid of them. Living in Florida really doesn't help.

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curlysister
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Re: Gnats, Gnats, and more Gnats!

Post by curlysister » Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:48 pm

Are you sure they are gnats? Most bugs in the tank are not harmful.

viewtopic.php?f=124&t=92537
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AddictedToCrabbos
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Re: Gnats, Gnats, and more Gnats!

Post by AddictedToCrabbos » Fri Apr 08, 2022 10:54 am

curlysister wrote:
Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:48 pm
Are you sure they are gnats? Most bugs in the tank are not harmful.

viewtopic.php?f=124&t=92537
I've been doing a lot of bug research, and know they arent fruit flies. They're either drain flies or gnats. Either way Id very much like them gone, as the population they're creating is too much. I also don't want to risk harming my crabs.

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wodesorel
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Re: Gnats, Gnats, and more Gnats!

Post by wodesorel » Sat Apr 09, 2022 9:43 am

If they're coming back a day after cleaning out the tank, then they're originating somewhere else and coming to the tank. You'll have to find where they're reproducing and deal with the source. That can be anything from a forgotten potato fallen somewhere, to standing water in unused drains or wet mops, to potted plants. Knowing what species they are can narrow down where they're making babies. Do they fly a lot? Are they hopping around? Do they run on the substrate?
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