My new CHEAP insect enclosures

[Brad Ramsey]

I got the idea from Heika but haven't seen her trash can enclosures.
Here's how I did it.
This could even work for neonates if you made a screen covered opening in the lid and suspended a UVB light over 3 or 4 of them.
I used a wood burner to melt out the openings and covered them with
window screening.
The screen can be attached with hot glue, silicone or duct tape.
I am going to use these for mantids and ....?
The cans are about 16 inches high, have snap on lids and were $4.00 ea. @ Big Lots!
Sterilite is my favorite brand for bug containers.

-Brad

 

[Chameleon Kingdom]

Where did you get your mantids from? We want to try them on our chameleons.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Originally I ordered egg cases from Ward's scientific which ended up being a waste of money. Old and dead!
E-bay is the place to go!
Mossyoaks is who I purchased from and delivery was fast, fast, fast!
Much better looking and fresh. Just collected in Maine in March.
Go to e-bay and search "Praying Mantis"

-Brad

 

[Chameleon Kingdom]

Thanks Brad!! I think my chams will like the different treat.

 

[DESERT DAVE]

I Live In The Palm Springs Desert And Mantids Are Here From June Thru October Like Dirt. I Never Thought Of Them As Feeders, They Have Intrigued Me As Pets For Years. Since They Are So Common I Will Try It And Would Be Willing To Trade With Anyone, But For What I Don't Know, Advice? They Are A Solitary Insect And Would Be Hard To Ship At A Reasonable Rate. So I Guess Its Not A Great Idea. Sucks For You Guys But My Heart Was In The Right Place.

 

[Laragail]

I used a wood burner to melt out the openings and covered them with
window screening.

I used a wood burner on some rubbermaid storage containers---

Isn't that just about the worst smell ever?

all the fumes kept trying to to travel straight up my nose.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

It's for sure an outside project!

-Brad

 

[Heika]

Hey, that looks very, very familiar! Nice looking bug enclosure, Brad. My mini trashcans are identical except that the bases on them are clear, and I cut out most of the lid for the screen instead of the side. I house ...? in them..

I got mine at Big Lots, too. I think they are a Big Lots specialty. They work well for lots of things, including storing grain, etc. for bugs.