Fungus Gnats.... and a question

[Beautifylgirl]

Okay, so last week my mother in law sent me some flowers for the house, which unfortunately had fungus gnats on them and now I've noticed I have fungus gnats from them in my snake tank. I don't think it's a huge problem, but since my snake is in the process of shedding I don't want to stress her out. Do you think it's okay to wait until she's done shedding to remove all the substrate/bleach tank out/ apply fresh beddin or should I do it all right now? The earliest I would get it done would be tomorrow. I have not found anything on the web saying that fungus gnats are harmful, but I figured I should ask.
Also, what is a another good type of bedding for her? I really like the 'natural' looking stuff so any ideas?

Thanks.
Brittany

[Thamnophis]

When there is fungus in your tank it might be to moist.
Don´t wait till it has shed, but clean the tank. Wash it out with hot water and make sure it is dry when you put the snake back in.
Fungus (maybe not every species) can make your snake ill. Can cause skinproblems and lungproblems, I believe.

[Beautifylgirl]

Just so you all know. I talked to my vet I work with who routinely deals with reptiles and she had me do what you all suggested. I cleaned the tank out completely, vaccumed it clean then cleaned it with a bleach solution and am now using carefresh bedding for the time being. I was surprized when she told me to go buy a cat or dog flea collar and cut in into peices and place around the tank top ( but not too close) and in all my plants and that should take care of the problem. Hopefully now I will not have this issue any more. Now I know that I will have to be very careful of my new plant additions to my house.

Thanks all.
Brittany

[Thamnophis]

The flea collar will not help against fungus in my opinion, but maybe against mites or so.
Make sure the substrate is dry. That helps against fungus.

[Cazador]

A "fungus gnat" is a tiny little fly. They're attracted to rotting vegetation/fruit.

[Stefan-A]

IIRC they are completely harmless to the snake, although it's understandable that they aren't exactly welcome.

[Beautifylgirl]

Well now that I have completely cleaned the tank out & removed the problem plant from the house. I have not seen any in the tank, or in the whole house for that matter. I was using Coconut shavings (ecto-terra?) for the substrate and my snake loved it because she could burrow. Now that I've changed it to the Carefresh, she's not very thrilled because she's not able to keep any burrows in the substrait, but she'll have to live with it for now. It's entertaining to watch her try to burrow and then it all collapses when she leaves, I wonder how frusterating that it to a snake. Anyway thanks everyone for all the help.
Brittany

[Thamnophis]

A "fungus gnat" is a tiny little fly. They're attracted to rotting vegetation/fruit.

Ohhh, I thought the problem was mould (Fungus).

Those tiny flies can easily be driven away. Keep your terrarium clean.

[Stefan-A]

And remember to keep the substrate dry.

[GarterGuy]

Well now that I have completely cleaned the tank out & removed the problem plant from the house. I have not seen any in the tank, or in the whole house for that matter. I was using Coconut shavings (ecto-terra?) for the substrate and my snake loved it because she could burrow. Now that I've changed it to the Carefresh, she's not very thrilled because she's not able to keep any burrows in the substrait, but she'll have to live with it for now. It's entertaining to watch her try to burrow and then it all collapses when she leaves, I wonder how frusterating that it to a snake. Anyway thanks everyone for all the help.
Brittany

Actually I've found if you really "pack" the Carefresh into the tank that the burrow will actually stay. My one male T.s.concinnus has a network of burrows in his tank that connect all his hides and such. I'm never sure where he is 'til I see his head poke out one of his holes.
Roy