Question: Getting rid of Chironomidae (chironomids/non-biting midges)

[Crysta]

Wasn't sure where exactly to put this. I hope this is the right place.

Ok so I have some midges in my fire bellied newt tank, obviously from some tricky little bloodworms that decided to bury themselves before I could clear them out.

So far I've been using a search and destroy method, I don't like the things flying around. Before I've cleaned out the entire tank ect. but I don't want to upset the tank as it is.

So does anyone have any ideas on how to get rid of the pests without moving the tank around/cleaning too much?​

Changing the gravel to sand, Just so these buggers can't bury their self ​

Just to add abit of extra info, I'm doing water changes.​

 

[Azhael]

What exactly is the problem?
They are completely harmless to you, and will actually contribute to the equilibrium of the tank. Having bugs is a good thing!!

If you are dead set on getting rid of them, i would try covering the tank lid with cloth. That will prevent them from getting out while still providing decent ventilation. Eventually they should die out.
You should get rid of the gravel anyway

 

[michael]

They show up in my tanks sometimes. They are not a problem for the animals. Some ways to get rid of them are sticky traps outside the tank, wiping down the inside of the tanks to dislodge worms, use in tank filters with filter floss or add floss to outside filters to catch larvae.

 

[Crysta]

I'm getting rid of the gravel as soon as possible anyway, it wasn't as big as it looked in the bag XD it's back to sand for me .

I don't have a problem with them myself, my mother however is dealthy afraid of insects in all sorts of forms, and is already scared enough with me keeping them to feed my pets.

I fear if she saw them flying around the place she'll have a heart attack, and there's just a little bit of a BOOM of them right now.

thanks for the advice, going with the cloth idea, as it sounds like it'll work best for keeping them inside the tank.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

You could possibly try getting a few large guppies. I never seem to have these in any of my tanks that have fish.

 

[Crysta]

I wouldn't want to put guppies in there, because I keep the temperature fairly cold.

The cloth is working very well for what I need I think they may be starting to die off now anyway.

thanks guys.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I wouldn't want to put guppies in there, because I keep the temperature fairly cold.

Guppies tolerate cold water quite well. Mine are exposed to temps well below 4'C for months at a time with no ill effects.

 

[Crysta]

Haven't seen any midges in days guys my mom actually came into my 'fishy room', as she calls it, today, to have a little look and watch me spray things XD no un-expected, insect related, heart attacks.

That's pretty awesome, about the guppies, they're very pretty things as well. I'm not the kind of person that keeps fish, but i'll have a think about getting some of those.