Hi, I noticed those stupid hateful flies again in my igs food when I came back from work. I posted about this before but you said it was harmless and I didn't need to worry about them. However, this has gone too far. There was at least 50 or 60 of them, flying out as soon as I moved the plate. Then I even saw a pair MATING in the food, possibly laying eggs. I think these are called fruit flies that are attracted to food but I am not sure if they are or if there are any specific species.

I am very worried about this. I have bought a anti-pest lamp that draws flies in and kills them. I have also bought some mosquito patches that are supposedly pesticide free and are based on citronella oil only.

Ok I am very worried about whether these flies could have cause internal parasites if it laid eggs in the food which he may have eaten some off. He hadn't eaten much today. I had asked someone and they told me that fruit flies do not cause INTERNAL parasites and only lays on food, once eaten the intestinal tract will kill the eggs. Is this true? Should I feed him a dose of levimisole? THey have this product that contains levimisole that supposedly rids parasites from herptiles, but from searching I see levimisole is meant for de-worming fish.

Also, is the citronella oil harmful to the ig at all?

Perhaps that thing is spelled levamisole. Seems to be different spelling in different places.

Hey Love, don't worry about internal parisites with the fruit flies. When they hatch and are in larvae stage, they are not designed to live within another body. They are not like a tape worm or round worm, where they need their eggs to be ingested. If the ig ate the eggs, they would be digested and pooped out, no harm done.
The flies at worst, are annoying and irritating, I know. We had them bad a couple years ago in the house and I couldn't get rid of them till I found out why they were there. We had a minor leak in the plumbing and that is what attracted them. We got it fixed and they soon went away. So if they are attracted to moisture, try to see if you have any other "wet" spots around. Are the flies only in the ig cage, or do you see them in other places of your home?
But don't worry about your ig eating them, there harmless.

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2.2 Green Iguanas
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Kira, I thank you for the information. However, I don't think there is a way to tell if the flies you got are the same kind as the ones I saw, as there are millions probably of different species.
However, I do know this. The flies that I have now do have their eggs hatch externally in garbage or whatnot. I had them a year or so back and I was worried that I myself may have had parasites so I went to get tested by a doctor. It turned out clean and I had no parasites. I later found that it was breeding from this trashcan that was unattended and was just outside my house, and there were thousands of worms in there. They were the same flies exactly as the ones I saw today, perhaps now breeding in another site nearby.
So I know they are not ones that NEED to have their eggs eaten by animals to become internal parasites. Do we know that they are EITHER/OR? THat they either only multiply through infesting other animal's bodies, or they brew outside of animals and do not cause internal parasites? Or can some do both?

Also, you said the flies were from a sewer. I did a search and I found these
http://www.vanwal.com/pests-fly-drain.html
Drain flies, as vs. fruit flies here:
http://www.vanwal.com/pests-fly-fruit.html
One attracted to rotting sewer and soiled pipes and one to fermenting food...
So I guess my only way of certainty is to know whether they are EITHER/OR internal parasite causing or can breed only externally or can do both...

So Kira, do you know? Or anyone else? Are all flies like this or can some species be like those tape/ring worms you talk about?

Well, the only flies that I know of that need a host to survive are Bot Flies. And they live in the Amazon Basin. They latch on to another flying insect in mid air, lay their eggs on their belly, then fly away. And when this new flying bug lands on you to bite you, the eggs hatch quickly, drop off and burrow into your skin where the larva grow and develop by consuming your flesh. When ready to pupate, they then emerge from your flesh and drop off in their pupa to finish the metamorphous. Other than that, that's all I know of as far as flies, sorry.

And the little fruit flies/gnats that we had years ago, they were around because of water. We don't have a sewer since we are out in the country. We have a septic tank that's a pain in the butt, lol.

But, without positive identification of your unwanted visitors, I don't know what else can be said. Is there any way to get a pic of one? And maybe send it to some one that studies insects? I don't know what else to tell you, sorry. Wish I could be more help.

__________________
"Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game."
2.2 Green Iguanas
See my Igs at:Kira's Iguana Page
See my portfolio at:kiradwyer.com

Well, basically, as a more experienced ig owner than I am, would you worry about what happened, and if so what would you do.

As far as worrying, no, I wouldn't worry about any ill effects from these flies, (except for transfer of germs, etc.) then again I don't know for sure what kind of flies these are. But I would think that as long as they are not biting you or the ig, they shouldn't be harmful.
Now as to the fact whether they are going to disgust and annoy you to death, that's another story, lol. I get the willies from any kind of "infestation" type of bug. I like bugs in general, just don't like when lots of 'em think they can come live in my house and not even pay rent! lol. I would try to get rid of them.
If it's the food that they are attracted to, is there any way that you can feed Liv and put her food away before you leave the house? So that the food is not sitting there all day attracting the bugs. Or feed her some before work, then feed her again upon your return from work? Know what I mean?
Will she eat from your hand? If so, you might be able to encourage her to eat before the bugs come and you have to leave, then put it in the fridge, then feed again later. I don't know what else to suggest besides maybe using a fogger type pesticide. But then you have to deal with chemicals and removing Liv from the home for several hours, etc. And the residue that the foggers leave behind has to be cleaned off everything. Don't know if it's worth it or would be that effective against flies, to make it worth using. Is there an exterminator that you could call and ask? If this is something that is common in your area, a local exterminator might know what they are and be able to offer some advice. Good luck with this.

__________________
"Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game."
2.2 Green Iguanas
See my Igs at:Kira's Iguana Page
See my portfolio at:kiradwyer.com

i have the same problem. I keep dart frogs so naturally I have at least two fruit fly cultures going at any given time. Because of this my house is constantly plagued with fruit flies no matter what I do and whatever fluffy doesnt eat they take over! i find at least 3 dead flies in everyone's water bowls when I do weekly cleaning. I havent had any problems other than them getting into my cricket bin and laying eggs, the maggots are pretty gross. So far no egg laying in fluffy;s food so no problem.

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"Help Protect our Planet from Overcollection, Purchase Aquacultured Livestock and Captive Bred Herps"

Oh, during the summer months we do get regular black house flies in huge numbers, but that's because a very large stable system is only a quarter mile away. It's the stables for a large horse racing facility that we live near, out here in the country. They come in everytime the kids go in and out, through any hole in the screen, etc. Enough to drive you absolutely insane! The best thing that I've found that works safely is the sticky fly paper strips. I hang several around and I even put one in the Ig enclosure (where they can't get it and where it's not near the hot lights) and those help A LOT! But I don't know how well those work on fruit flies though.

__________________
"Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game."
2.2 Green Iguanas
See my Igs at:Kira's Iguana Page
See my portfolio at:kiradwyer.com

Yeah, I'm with Kira, I wouldn't worry too much about the flies. If you start only putting liv's food out for a while before you go to work in the morning she will learn to adjust and eat before you take the food away. That would probably be helpful in controlling the fly population in your home. I've never had huge problems with fruit flies but we get alot of house flies in the summer from leaving the doors and windows open and I just hang fly paper all over the place and it does the trick.
I know there is another kind of fly that lays its eggs on the host and they do a nasty number on them, but I can't remember what they are called. I know
Matt fought a losing battle against them last fall, hopefully he'll come alog and refresh my memory as to what they are called.

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