Declaring war on flying bugs - with lizards

[utah]

Okay, I've been collecting house spiders to try to kill the small gnats flying around the water containers in the greenhouse. So far none of the spiders have managed to make very large webs to control any of the gnats. So. . . the war is on.

I went to the pet store today to see what spiders they have. Short of spending a fortune on large spiders that prefer to feed on small mice (yikes!), that wasn't going to happen. Besides, I work on keeping the mice OUT of the greenhouse.

I did run across two small lizards that are cute and will thrive in the greenhouse (and eat bugs and snails). I sucked up my fear and bought two of them. As you can see, one climbed the papyrus to the roof of the greenhouse (8' up) and seems to like it there and the other was making nice with a vanilla vine. Let's hope that these guys take care of some of the insects and snails (oh, and can avoid the dachshunds).

My fiance said that next I'll be buying a larger, meaner creature to try to control the lizard population. Yeah, pretty soon I'll have the entire "circle of life" in the greenhouse (watch out for the tiger).

Wildlife management!

[utah]

Oh, let's also hope that the next time I feel something cold drop on my head while I'm in there it's just the condensation or that will end the reign of the lizards really quickly!

[WhiteRabbit]

OMG! That's awesome! I hope they like living there and do a good job for you! I wish I had a greenhouse so I could release lizards in there lol. I happen to love the little lizards!

I think it's great that you're trying this way of pest contol! Let us know how it works out!

[jkofferdahl]

Lizards are a wonderful form of natural pest control. I've used them in gardens. When my daughters were little I kept a fair sized organic garden with them. We used a lot of natural preditors for insect control, but our favorites were praying mantises. I've always grown my orchids indoors, and one year I left a couple of the mantises in with them. My girls named the one survivor Thor, and Thor was used to us enough that he would come over and sit on our hands. We really enjoyed him in there! When he got to about 3", though, the girls' mother said he had to go, so he moved out to the garden - but remained "tame" out there, where we still visited with him daily. He was close to five inches when fall came, and he moved his prayers to another plane.

[utah]

Thanks both of you!

I actually found a great site for preying (praying) mantis eggs and am going to get some in the spring (along with lady bugs). The problem is the egg cases for the mantises each contain 120-150 mantises! That would be a bit much for my little greenhouse.

I did catch one before it got too cold in the evenings and put it in the greenhouse. The poor Mantis became Ozzie food within a week (pictured below - you can see why I couldn't be too mad at him).

Glad I don't have any small kids at home - this "circle of life" thing would get to be a bit traumatic.

[utah]

Okay - I've been corrected and I admit it, I'm an insect idiot - they are not mantises they are mantids. Sorry to those insect aficionados. Wow, who knew?

[mojomick]

Have you noticed any decrease in the number of gnats? I am interested, as I have a blossoming colony of fungus gants? in the gh. Found them yesterday. I have yellow sticky paper all over but the critters are increasing in population. I hate to spray but may have to. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I can use? Thanks, Betty

[utah]

Originally Posted by mojomick

Have you noticed any decrease in the number of gnats? I am interested, as I have a blossoming colony of fungus gants? in the gh. Found them yesterday. I have yellow sticky paper all over but the critters are increasing in population. I hate to spray but may have to. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I can use? Thanks, Betty

There does seem to be fewer gnats but I'm not sure if that is thanks to the spiders or the lizards. Regardless, I haven't had to spray (yet).

[WhiteRabbit]

If you end up deciding to spray - be careful! Don't want to harm your little lizards!

[Gin]

Try a few Sundew (Drosera) if u buy one they will seed and make more, also the Butterwort (Pinguicula) both work well they take a little special care pure water, no Fert.bright light , and never dry out. They put an end to my knat squadrons .Drying things out will also slow them down . I have posted this picture of the Butterwort before here it is again in case you didn't see it .. Gin