FruitFly proof Neonate cage!!

[JonRich]

I have a Panther clutch hatching from breeding that was done last year with my RedBar Ambliobe Chance. Got tired of FruitFlies escaping everywhere. So I had an idea.

I have been doing wheatgrass and had got some mini "greenhouse" type trays with plastic domes. Just looking at it got my mind going. Figured it would be perfect for raising neonates till they got a but older. All it needed was screen for ventilation.

Well I cut out the top and sides and hot glued some screen pieces.

This is what the complete tray looks like. The whole top was cut out and replaced with screen, along with 2 sides.

I was going to make a wooden jungle gym but I went to Home Depot and they just so happen to have the perfect sized ficus. I got a few because I'll be making a few of these. Mocked up a few and it looked good. Even reached the top (we all know how baby Chams like to hang from the top of the cages.)

These were the plants I got. They were $1.99 each!

Top View

Settled with 3 plants . This way it wasn't too thick. I want to be able to view
them to make sure they are all eating.

Wash plants well, to get rid of any pesticides.

Lined the tray with paper towel. This will help with clean up and hold moisture to promote humidity.

Plants washed and misted. Covered the substrate in the plants with stones . Test run with Chams!

Complete and FruitFlies added, checking for any escapes!

No no no!! Not today FruitFly!!

I'll be giving this one a trial run. If it works I'll build 3 more to fit the
bottom rack and swap out the cages till later.

 

[maxttu]

Truly awesome setup! Great creativity, Jon!

 

[ibdragons]

Nice I might do that hate all the feeders getting out.

 

[SMCNARY]

I LIKE IT!!! Where did you get those trays? I have been looking into this a bit and like your idea. With this set up how often do you need to mist during a day?

 

[vcao333]

are those melanogaster or hydei? and what size mesh are you using so that they can't escape? I'm thinking of making my own screen cage and it looks like you have a nice set up, so i'd like to pick your brain a bit.

 

[JonRich]

Truly awesome setup! Great creativity, Jon!

Thanks Max. It just became a pain with FruitFlies everywhere

Nice I might do that hate all the feeders getting out.

can't hurt to try. This is just a remperoray cage till they start eating something larger.

I LIKE IT!!! Where did you get those trays? I have been looking into this a bit and like your idea. With this set up how often do you need to mist during a day?

I have a hydroponics store near me . It's meant for plant propagateing. It's a 2" tray and a 10" tall plastic dome. Just cut sections out and hot glue screen for ventilation. I still mist every 4-5 hours (about 3times a day). They are still young and I want to make sure they are hydrated. I most with warm water also.

are those melanogaster or hydei? and what size mesh are you using so that they can't escape? I'm thinking of making my own screen cage and it looks like you have a nice set up, so i'd like to pick your brain a bit.

Rite now it's both. (but not the wingless D.melanogaster.) they just seem to climb the dome and screen and don't attempt to pass threw. I'll be trying some wingless later this week to see if they also can be contained. The screen was purchased at HomeDepot. It does seem to be tighter woven mesh than what's used on the screen cages. I'll take a side by side section of both for you guys to compare.

The black tray was $1.95 and the dome was $2.96. The screen was 7.95 for like a 4'x8' section. And I got a hot glue gun at a hardware store for $10 . So each cost me less than $6 to make.

 

[sharlaxle]

Wow, I love the idea! I have a had a hard time finding a cage for the neonates I like because I like to take mine outside for sun. this is light and easy to move about perfect until they are ready for their next move. Great thought and thanks for sharing!
Sharl

 

[azgnoinc]

I LIKE IT!!! Where did you get those trays? I have been looking into this a bit and like your idea. With this set up how often do you need to mist during a day?

This time of year Walmart, Lowes. Home Depot- they will all be carrying these trays and advertising them as seedling starters, most will come with the little cocoa fiber pods in mesh in them to start plants in, just re-purpose those for something else.

 

[sammyamor]

how is the top kept on?? glue???

 

[JonRich]

how is the top kept on?? glue???

Gravity. See the pix above with the top off

 

[JonRich]

Wow, I love the idea! I have a had a hard time finding a cage for the neonates I like because I like to take mine outside for sun. this is light and easy to move about perfect until they are ready for their next move. Great thought and thanks for sharing!
Sharl

Perfect. If you were to take them outside in direct sunlight I'd suggest you do screen on all 4 sides and the top so it doesn't get too hot while outside. You can even make another top for use indoors and one more screened/vented for outdoor use. It would be interchangeable

 

[mariebaby21]

What a great idea!

 

[JonRich]

What a great idea!

Thanks.
.......

 

[pssh]

What kind of screen did you use? When I use plain old window screen, most of my hydei don't get through, but there are always those adventurous ones that climb through and get everywhere. I have found that if I put a small 2-3 oz deli cup with a sugar water soaked paper towel in it, they tend to find their way to it and hang out inside the cup. Then I cap it and let them loose outside.

 

[mariebaby21]

at what age would you move the neonates to a bigger enclosure?

 

[JonRich]

What kind of screen did you use? When I use plain old window screen, most of my hydei don't get through, but there are always those adventurous ones that climb through and get everywhere. I have found that if I put a small 2-3 oz deli cup with a sugar water soaked paper towel in it, they tend to find their way to it and hang out inside the cup. Then I cap it and let them loose outside.

I use applecider vinegar with some dish washing liquid. Worked well. But I would always find about 15-20 FruitFlies by the window across the room. Meaning the have to cross the room to get there. I also have a lot of fruits because I'm a juice nut and I'd like to avoid getting any maggots in them. I used whatever screen they had at HomeDepot(i took some side by side pix today against the cage screen and they seemed to be tighter, ill post them once i get to a computer). Haven't had a single FruitFly in the vinegar and soap solution, nor is there any by the window. :cross fingers :

 

[JonRich]

at what age would you move the neonates to a bigger enclosure?

Not sure. They are a few days old now and are verrrry small. I build another one today and currently have 4 in one and 5 in another. They seem to have plenty of room. I'll play it by eye. But once they are on B.dubias and crickets I'll more than likely put then back in a real cage. 14 more eggs to hatch, soo I'll be making another 2-3 of these. They stack nicely when not in use. So I can keep them around for future clutches.

 

[maxttu]

Not sure. They are a few days old now and are verrrry small. I build another one today and currently have 4 in one and 5 in another. They seem to have plenty of room. I'll play it by eye. But once they are on B.dubias and crickets I'll more than likely put then back in a real cage. 14 more eggs to hatch, soo I'll be making another 2-3 of these. They stack nicely when not in use. So I can keep them around for future clutches.

You're just a genius. Nuff said...