The best Customer favorites patio, lawn & garden: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Here it is on Amazon. The people who did my treatment used this as well. Fortunately, it was a very minor infestation that was limited to my room, but I was going out of my mind not sleeping for 3 days straight.

For those interested, CimeXa eradicates these things. It's an amorphous silica dust that is safe for humans and kills bed bugs and other insects a short time after they come into contact with the dust.

Don't mistake it for diatomaceous earth, which is another silica based product, but is toxic to humans and doesn't work well (it takes longer than the reproductive cycle of the bug to kill it).

I got bed bugs from my neighbors apartment a while back and just laid down the dust in any areas between where I stay for more than 15 minutes and where they might reside. I made it so any vector they pick to feed on me causes them to walk through the dust. They feed, then go back to their nest where they spread it.

I was getting half a dozen bites a day and within a month I was getting one a week until none at all. I didn't even need a mattress cover or anything fancy, just dusted around and washed/dryed my linens in high heat. No need for an expensive extermination. I also put down the dust along the walls so any bugs coming from my neighbor will just die.

Wow, your roommate sucks. Thank you for being willing to help this poor snake!

1. You can get a cheap plastic tub at Target (or similar) and use a couple bungee cords to reinforce the lid locks. The 27.5 gal Sterilite bin is $15 and can support a 4 foot snake (bulls would prefer a bit more space, but this will meet its needs in a pinch). If you can find a clear Christmas tree storage tub, that would work even better size-wise, but they're hard to come by this time of year.

2. Yes, they do need a hot spot at all times of the year. She'll be okay if you need some time to gather supplies, just hold off on feeding her. If you do get a plastic tub, you'll need to use a heat pad (can buy from any pet store, they're not expensive) and thermostat (all heating elements can reach dangerous temperatures if left unregulated). You want a hot spot of high 80s. Throw that heat rock into the garbage right now, they are dangerous and ineffective.

3. Ambient humidity is usually just fine unless your area is super dry. You can use a spray bottle to bump it up, though. If you use a substrate like coco husk, cypress mulch, or a bark blend, that will help retain moisture if you're having trouble.

4. Reptile-specific rescues are few and far between, but they do exist. You would probably have better luck posting on a FB group - look for some combination of "[your area] + reptile/snake" and you will likely find something! Sometimes people have even successfully rehomed snakes through posts on this sub.

Good luck!

Mosquito Bits. Sprinkle them on the top of the soil or add them to the water you use to water your plants. By far the easiest way to deal with fungus gnats and a 30z container could last for years.

This. For 2k sq ft (which is what I have in my backyard) it will take you about 2-3 hours total of work. Really not that bad at all. Drink a beer and listen to music, podcast, sports, etc. Just water a good amount morning of or day before, it will make it SO much easier.

Alternatively, you can have local landscaping company do it. Prices vary, but typically ~$70-110 USD seems like the average.

I killed all my grass/weed without pesticides by covering everything with cardboard weighed down by bricks for 3 weeks. I then watered and used a manual aerator. It all cost about $30.

Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator Manual Grass Dethatching Turf Plug Core Aeration Tool ID-6C https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOMCJD6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CcuWCbTQNKB10

Burning works and it's way faster. I didn't do that because my area burns easily.

I did a ton of research when we were dealing with bedbugs (fortunately, it turned out my apartment was spared, but knowing they were next door made me not want to risk it). Cimexa is supposed to be much more effective. It's silica instead of diatoms. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085HRWI8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SuOdCbKFT8PRC

At least invest in one of these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YJPC2A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Keep your heat mat on a thermostat! Check Amazon for the Hydrofarm Jumpstart. Do this ASAP, before anything else. Snakes don't feel pain the same way we do, and they have been known, commonly, to literally cook on an unregulated heat mat. Jumpstart

Make sure you have lots of clutter in that tank, and at least two hides which would be relatively snug fits. It is a very large tank for a young BP. Use black/dark paper to cover the back and sides of the tank. BPs like to feel safe, and that will help especially since the tank is so large.

Moving around at night is normal. They are nocturnal creatures. Being nocturnal, you should look into switching the lamp to a ceramic heat emitter (think light bulb, but without the light, only heat). Artificial light is unnecessary for them.

Don't handle them for 36-48 hours after feeding. You don't want to stress them and cause them to regurgitate.

Try to keep temps around 82, even at night, and no higher than 88 or so during the day

A hard freeze would help. But seriously..

I somehow have got the problem under control by a professional service but I also supplement it with this:

Summit Responsible Solutions Mosquito Bits - Quick Kill, 30 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001AUF8G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rjPyFbN4GWBCM

Idk how well it works but anytime it rains I go around like a mad man pouring that in every puddle. Mosquitos love me and this is the first summer/fall I haven’t bathed in bug spray.

There are very few mosquitoes in Seattle. We don't even have screens, like most of our neighbors. If you have a lot of them you might have a source on your property or near it -- standing water where they breed. We have a sump pit in an outdoor stairway that I regularly add "Mosquito Bits" to. Find the standing water near you and do the same!

No it won't really give belly heat, you need a heating pad for a ball generally, and they are literally not usable without a thermostat. I got one for $18 on Amazon and it works fine. This isn't exactly it but close:

https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-ETL-Certified-Thermostat-Germination-Reptiles/dp/B000NZZG3S

I had a terrible fungus gnat situation and putting Mosquito Bits on the soil before I watered eliminated them. Neem, hydrogen peroxide, and yellow sticky pads didn't work for me, but this did. It kills the larvae.

I have two of these and a big neoprene mat that matches the dimensions. Doesn't get any better IMO
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJPC2A/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_apa\_glt\_fabc\_D9MDJ18XKQHMF8MC9W9G?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Mat:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P2N27WR/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_apa\_glt\_fabc\_DCHAEQVCJZG88719Y4N9?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I had an issue with them last year and this fixed it:

• sticky traps to kill the adults
• grind up some mosquito bits into water and soak it overnight. Then, water your plants with it to kill any larvae

I did this for a month or so and they went away. (I used this on indoor houseplants. Not sure if it’s ok for things you might eat)

This stuff works so well for fungus gnats. Just sprinkle some in your watering can before you water and viola!

e: ....voila!

I use a turkey fryer that I got from Amazon. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Classic-SP10-High-Pressure-Outdoor/dp/B000291GBQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1548095752&sr=8-4&keywords=turkey+fryer

​

It works great!

If you can aerate with an aerator that pulls plugs out, that is ideal. I use this one from Amazon (I also have very little lawn) it works great, and I have used a machine before and the manual one does just as good of a job, just takes longer.

https://www.amazon.com/Yard-Butler-Dethatching-Aeration-ID-6C/dp/B00EOMCJD6

You can also use something called Mosquito Bits by Summit. It is a natural bacteria called BT.

I put these bits in a gallon of water, then use the water on the plants until the gnats are gone. It doesn’t work as well on the adult gnats, but stops new ones.

You know your limits better than anyone else, but really, we're all here cheering you on. Once you get the tools you need for a snek, they're so easy to care for, and they are wonderful pets. My snake was out last night and both my roommates got to hold her for the first time. She also chose to perch her head on my roommates thumb for a straight 90 seconds and I basically died of how cute it was.

Just because corns are easy doesn't mean that you were born with the knowledge to care for them. A thermostat from amazon will regulate your temps for you and then you can rule out the temps being an issue. Feeding is probably the most stressful part, but with patience,that can be overcome too. All snakes can go long periods of time without eating, so a couple more weeks of trial and error won't make him any worse for wear. You can do it!

I don't recommend the ones with them built in. Do you have a glass tank? When I had glass tanks I used an appropriately sized Zoomed Reptitherm heat mat, and used this thermostat from amazon. it's cheap and does the job well enough. I still use that one for my quarantine enclosure and I've had no issue with it.

If you want to get the best thermostat you can, spyder Robotics makes really nice ones. I use a Herpstat 2 for my ball pythons and it's fantastic, very safe and reliable.

I have 2 6ft folding tables from Walmart and 1 4ft folding table from Amazon. I love the amazon one because it has different leg lengths, so if I want a taller bar style table, I can do that, or shorter, etc. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YJPC2A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you're looking at tents, I recommend https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BSLQSVO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has the side walls, sand bags, a carrying case and is super sturdy yet easily assembled. I get compliments on how nice it looks at every show I do.

To address your first question, rats and mice are different. If the breeder said she's eating ft (frozen thawed) hopper mice, then you shouldn't have any issues feeding her a small mouse. That is, if her set up is correct. Ball pythons don't ever really need to be eating mice to be honest. I know there are more differences between rats and mice than I'll get into here, but for one mice have higher fat than rats while rats are higher in protein and that's important for a growing ball python hatchling. She'll soon grow out of mice entirely so you should switch her to rats as soon as you can. But try to get her to eat what the breeder says she's been eating first.

​

Your comment about the temperature makes me concerned that you don't have a thermostat for your heating. You need to buy one immediately. This regulates the temperature of your heat mat. Otherwise (like you mentioned) it's going to get hot and stay hot. 103 is WAY too hot. You want to have her warm side at around 91. This amazon link is a very reliable brand of thermostat that a lot of people in the reptile community use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NZZG3S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You should also get a temperature gun if you don't have one to accurately check the temperature regularly and make any necessary adjustments.

I recommend mosquito bits! First learned about them over on /r/isopods. Safe for use with them (crustaceans) and tried them in my bioactive dubia cockroach and morio beetle tank--no problems! They're basically just corn granules coated with a bacteria strain (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensi) which kills the larval form of mosquitos and fungus gnats.

It seems to be most effective if you sprinkle some granules in water, let them soak a bit for the bacteria to become free-floating, then water all substrate with that until all larvae and adults and eggs have died. It seems to only kill in the larvae stage, so you do have to continue to dose for a bit, but it seemed pretty effective for me.

I've also had great luck with apple cider vinegar traps (literally just apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap--breaks surface tension better--in a container, they drown trying to get to it) if you can find a way to plop that in gecko-proofed. Some people put a rubber banded bit of cellophane with holes in it to catch more flies, might keep curious geckos out.

Good luck!

oh I can help!!!! this stuff right here is a miracle worker for fungus gnats and it's plant/animal safe.

https://www.amazon.com/Summit-Responsible-Solutions-Mosquito-Bits/dp/B0001AUF8G/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=bti+dunks&qid=1552744635&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-4

Okay. You don’t need any lights, I was just making sure you didn’t have any. Temp on the warm side should stay around 90 F. If you don’t have a thermostat for your uth, you need to get one. I have this one: (https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Controller-Thermostat-Germination-Reptiles/dp/B000NZZG3S). You should also get a temp gun.

As far as hides go, you should have at least 3, one hot, one cool, and a moist hide. Even if they aren’t shedding, it’s good to keep one out at all times. Make sure he isn’t on loose substrate, I prefer tile or paper towel. And you should keep a pure calcium supplement out at all times. Just put some in a milk cap.

Here is my set up: https://imgur.com/a/lQAeCac

It’s very plain and I’m actually going to be buying some more stuff to put in soon, but it can give you an idea of the basic necessities.

bayou Classic SP10

I've had this one for 6 years and it works great. Not the big burner in terms of flame output, but I had 9 gallons going at a rolling boil in no time last weekend. Had to turn it down, actually. So the less expensive ones work just fine.

Edit: words

Of course. You’re not crazy!

I had bed bugs once, it was awful. Drove me nuts . I know what it’s like to freak out over any little brush against my skin at night, or any little spot on the walls or ceiling. Makes it so hard to sleep. And yeah, I also was looking for some meaning behind it. Cause it just feels so personal and disruptive, like torture, cause you never know where they are or when they will come out.

It’ll go away. Summer months are hard with apartments and bugs. Maybe just be a little more diligent about emptying garbage cans, cleaning your space more than usual, etc.

For what it’s worth, I went through multiple bug killers before I found this stuff which solved the bed bug problem quickly: Rockwell Labs CXID032 Cimexa Dust Insecticide, 4oz, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085HRWI8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_HSK6YVTECHRPWY0RABN3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Good luck :)

> How do you keep algae and nasty growth down in it?

Pond plants. Specifically, water hyacinth, parrot feather, and water lettuce. If you don't want to have fish in there, use some of this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001AUF8G

But fish, even feeder goldfish - you can get 50 for about 10 bucks - are worth having. I water all the greenhouse plants with pond water, which gives a very light fertilizer boost, and it's completely organic.