Erm - unwanted critters

[Pebbles82]

Sorry! I know I keep expecting things to crawl out everywhere. All I've seen so far is the occasional small moth - it's the fact I saw it in Charlie's house that freaked me out.

Spiders are no issue - hoover them up with the long hose from a distance I think spiders eat moths actually.

[BluerayDarkes]

I don't actually mind dealing with bugs, its the spiders that I hate. We live on water so a lot of spiders like to make their homes all around the outside of the house, then they crawl in to the house when its too cold outside. During spring/summer/autumn we have a lot of unwanted eight legged guests, sizes vary from tiny to house spider and luckily the wolf spiders stay outside.

I did see an orb weaver near our mailbox once, didn't touch the mail box until it was gone.

[Pebbles82]

I don't mind dealing with them either. It's the idea of an outbreak that makes me creep urgh!

[Pebbles82]

Just wondering what to do about Charlie's nest. His hoard is under it and round the sides of it as well. Rather than chuck it all, I wonder if I could just lift his nest and put it in a plastic bag and put that in the freezer?

Actually not much point really as then he'd have to make a new nest anyway if it was in the freezer and I guess freezing it would take away all his scent.

[Coldpaws]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Just wondering what to do about Charlie's nest. His hoard is under it and round the sides of it as well. Rather than chuck it all, I wonder if I could just lift his nest and put it in a plastic bag and put that in the freezer?

Actually not much point really as then he'd have to make a new nest anyway if it was in the freezer and I guess freezing it would take away all his scent.

How old is his hoard? I'd chuck it to be safe. Even tho' I don't like disturbing their little stashes as it is their territory afterall. Yes I think freezing it could take away the scent. I'm not sure how much good it would do to freeze the hoard as maybe larvae might have come out into the bedding? OMG I don't think this is going to help with the itching.
TBH Charlie is prob not bothered in the slightest about the moths. I suspect it's us more than anything! They live out in the desert & can't be spooked by bugs or they wouldn't survive a day!
Just want to check, the moth strips aren't too chemical are they? In case they effect Charlie's breathing.

[Coldpaws]

Originally Posted by zak

I am on edge and keep looking around the room like a crazy person to see if there is any creepy crawlies lurking about after reading this thread. Reminds me of the time when I suddenly looked over to my far wall one night and saw a massive black spider coming down from the celling and it then proceeded to crawl into my budgies cage. I fled the room and didn't return until I was 100% positive it was gone.

I am sooooo sorry Zak, I didn't help with this! your post really made me laugh tho, funny how spiders make even the hardest people literally flee.

[Pebbles82]

Thanks Coldpaws. Yes I think I'd chuck most of the hoard and give him some new food. The strips are safe and don't smell of anything - they are coated with something sticky that attracts male moths to stop the breeding cycle basically. I wouldn't put it too close to the cage but Charlie wouldn't be able to get near it either.

I was thinking the same - if there are grubs in the food they could be in the nest too. If I end up having to take his nest away I'd rather do when I put a new house in I think so then it's just like a change of house really. He won't speak to me for at least a week

[CMB]

Unfortunately you may need to do a complete cage clean. The grubs, eggs could be anywhere in the cage. A partial cage clean could leave eggs or grubs hidden and the problem would not be solved.

[Pebbles82]

Yes I was thinking that - or thought maybe just the house? What do others think?

[CMB]

It's a tough decision as Charlie may not like that much change.