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Gnats In My Beetles

Discussion in 'Skulls and Skeletons' started by CJMartin, Jul 29, 2022.

  1. Jul 29, 2022 #1
    CJMartin

    CJMartin Active Member

    181
    127
    Maryland
    i'm still kinda new to this beetle thing. i just got an old freezer and set it up to house my beetles. i moved my kids from their 10 gallon aquarium into their new home 2 days ago. They seem to like it but i have noticed i have gnats (i think) flying around inside. Not a lot of them but should i be concerned with their presence? Thanks for any input, these guys are a blast to watch!
     
  3. Jul 29, 2022 #2
    moonshine

    moonshine Active Member

    324
    38
    LongIsland NY
    When I get gnats in my beetle facility I simply hang fly paper off the ground and take care of the problem
     

  5. Jul 29, 2022 #3
    CJMartin

    CJMartin Active Member

    181
    127
    Maryland
    Thanks, that's what i'm gonna do but in the grand scheme of things are they a problem for my beetles or just a bother to me?
     
  6. Jul 29, 2022 #4
    PA

    PA Well-Known Member

    1,989
    2,763
    Those are not gnats - they are scuttle flies or coffin flies. I posted a bit years ago on them
    https://www.taxidermy.net/threads/123304/#post-859583

    Members of the Phoridae are not good for a colony but not as harmful as ham beetles and mites. You have too much moisture in the colony as they don't like well dried meat better than juicy meat.
    Phoridae - Wikipedia

    You can search on gnats in the advanced search in skulls and skeletons category and read what others have said.
     
    Sea Wolf likes this.
  7. Jul 30, 2022 #5
    CJMartin

    CJMartin Active Member

    181
    127
    Maryland
    Yep you are correct sir, thank you so much! i got one to stand still long enough to take a picture and sure enough, bingo!
    i'm gonna get the ones out that are in there (i hope) and dry the meat i'm feeding them out a little more. So are the white elongate specks i see on the meat their larva? Thanks for the help in ID these!
     
    Sea Wolf likes this.
  8. Jul 30, 2022 #6
    Sea Wolf

    Sea Wolf Well-Known Member

    14,141
    2,262
    Taxachusetts
    Too much moisture will also encourage mites and that is a nightmare you don't want.