FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hello! I got a VFT on clearance at a big-box store and now I'm hooked. Went back and got another and just made them a little terrarium since it has been 2mos and I haven't managed to kill them, lol.
2 newbie questions: when I swat a mosquito or housefly, I feed it to my traps by *gently* stimulating the trap with a pine needle. Am I damaging anything by doing this?
Also, I have a grow light that my African Violets and succulents thrive under. I put my traps under it, but in the winter (Northern NY, USA) should I not so they can go dormant?
Thank you in advance!

Welcome. Start by reading care tips here:
https://www.flytrapcare.com/

Welcome.

SavingStarfish wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 9:40 pm Hello! I got a VFT on clearance at a big-box store and now I'm hooked. Went back and got another and just made them a little terrarium since it has been 2mos and I haven't managed to kill them, lol.

They'll slowly die in a terrarium for multiple reasons. Get them outside in the sun, or at least in indirect sunlight, and they'll do better. They'll likely decline a bit as they adapt to a new environment, but they'll do much better long term.

SavingStarfish wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 9:40 pm2 newbie questions: when I swat a mosquito or housefly, I feed it to my traps by *gently* stimulating the trap with a pine needle. Am I damaging anything by doing this?

No, that's fine, but the pine needle is unnecessary. Simply squeeze the sides of the trap together gently.

SavingStarfish wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 9:40 pmAlso, I have a grow light that my African Violets and succulents thrive under. I put my traps under it, but in the winter (Northern NY, USA) should I not so they can go dormant?
Thank you in advance!

The light requirement of these plants is such that most grow lights are insufficient. Direct, unfiltered sunlight (outside, not a windowsill) of 6+ hours is the benchmark to shoot for. They can be grown indoors, but need strong artificial lights to the tune of 16+ hours a day. Leave them outside, let them enter dormancy by environmental cues, a bring them inside to protect from freezing. Once it stays freezing at night, put them some cool and dark until spring.