egg crate alternitive ?

[little leaf]

what else can be used for egg crate ? I am leery to use cardboard boxes because they chew it up, and I dont know if they are just chewing it, or eating it- I dont want to feed my chams glue gut loaded crix / and roaches - lol - but anyone else use anything besides egg crate ?
my 3 biggest cost are my electric bill ( we are one of the highest in the US ) feeders, and egg crates ~ ( besides the vet when needed )
Being part of a federally registered 501 c 3 rescue, alot of ppl think you are paid or reimbursed by the gov/ - you are NOT - all the cost of care comes out of my pocket - and a few small donations I am able to get - I have a tiny budget, and the vet bill for Mason and Max was almost $300 ! so anyplace I can cut cost, I do - would plastic trays like they deliver bread on work ? something that can be washed ?? or is there some great hidden advantage to the egg crate - lol anyone use anything else ?

 

[Lathis]

Oops. Wrong button. /facepalm

 

[RyU]

Paper towel roll tubes but I don't know if you guys use that much paper towel.

 

[junglefries]

Everytime I go to a 7-11 or fast food place and get a drink, I always get a cup holder. Actually, I get two, doubled up. I save them for when, I don't have many crix in the bin or almost out of egg crate. I let them set in my closet for months, before using, just as a precaution. I haven't had any issues that I am aware of, using them. No mass die offs or anything.

 

[fluxlizard]

u-line has pretty cheap egg crates- you might check online at their website. I almost went there a few months ago when I was afraid I wouldn't have enough cardboard at one point.

That said, I just get friends and family to save all their toilet paper and paper towel and cardboard egg cartons for me, and I seem to be able to get enough that way. In the past several months I've been multiplying roach tubs- I've got 15 big 45 and 50 gallon storage tubs full of bugs with more on the way and the cardboard has all been supplied this way.

Other thought- make friends with a restaurant employee.

 

[fluxlizard]

Actually, being a rescue, seems like you could put a few "donation" boxes up around your local area for cardboard tubes. I've found most family and friends feel like they are "recycling" rather than throwing the tubes away by donating them for my bugs.

 

[fluxlizard]

would plastic trays like they deliver bread on work ? something that can be washed ?? or is there some great hidden advantage to the egg crate - lol anyone use anything else ?

The big advantage is that the insects can "stick" to cardboard. And it can be tossed out so doesn't need cleaning. Also the tubes and pockets create microclimates- roaches control humidity by clumping and breathing all over each other in tight spaces.

You could use plastic, but would probably want to rough it up with sandpaper first so the insects could "stick" (I do this on the sides of my cricket tubs so they can climb partway up). I actually am not using cardboard in my cricket tubs yet- only sanded sides. Maybe in a generation I will finally need more surface area. The 15 tubs with tubes and cardboard are all roaches.

 

[little leaf]

yeah, I have a few ideas , but none are going to hold humidity for them - but if I don't change them like every other day - THEY STINK , and my husband puts up with A LOT - and all he ask, is he NOT smell those crix - I still have one guy who really needs them ( Mason ) - as soon as I can get him off crix, I wont have them again until babies are born - but they all do enjoy them- but it one feeder I do not use unless I have no choice - but I am tiring to build Mason's confidence / hunting urge - its the only thing he will hunt, and can now even catch
I wonder if you can put like charcoal in ? IDK - but I need to figure something out- I can not afford to go thew the amount I am going threw - and washing them - uhhhh.... well, that does not work
IF I come up with anything good, I will let ya know- I am pretty good at solving my issues that come up

 

[Mike Fisher]

Just hit the local breakfast house and ask them for their egg crates. I can't believe people actually buy those things for their bugs.

 

[little leaf]

Just hit the local breakfast house and ask them for their egg crates. I can't believe people actually buy those things for their bugs.

well, lol - our town is very small - we only have one place you can go to eat- they don't server breakfast I need to find someone who works at a Bob Evens

 

[Mike Fisher]

Not sure if it would be worth it in gas money to drive to the big city, but I'm sure you have to go there for supplies, building materials etc. anyway. Just remember to make an extra stop next time? I really can't think of a good substitute for those egg cartons regarding surface area.

For the stink, I don't have a problem since I switched over to Ghann's banded crix and use an open bin for plenty of airflow.

 

[RyU]

yeah, I have a few ideas , but none are going to hold humidity for them - but if I don't change them like every other day - THEY STINK , and my husband puts up with A LOT - and all he ask, is he NOT smell those crix - I still have one guy who really needs them ( Mason ) - as soon as I can get him off crix, I wont have them again until babies are born - but they all do enjoy them- but it one feeder I do not use unless I have no choice - but I am tiring to build Mason's confidence / hunting urge - its the only thing he will hunt, and can now even catch
I wonder if you can put like charcoal in ? IDK - but I need to figure something out- I can not afford to go thew the amount I am going threw - and washing them - uhhhh.... well, that does not work
IF I come up with anything good, I will let ya know- I am pretty good at solving my issues that come up

Them stinkers!

 

[zlew]

crumpled up pieces of paper

 

[little leaf]

crumpled up pieces of paper

close !!