Sprite bottle insect feeder

Similar idea to many but thought the green plastic might fit in a bit better than a milk carton! Lol



Just got to install it now

Please let me know if that construction works! We don't get milk jugs and what not here, and that's probably one of the only kinds of bottles I would be able to use to make a feeder!

Doesn't look to bad (top left)



Seems to do the job ok



Will be interesting to see if Simba uses it!!

Ferrah88 said:

Please let me know if that construction works! We don't get milk jugs and what not here, and that's probably one of the only kinds of bottles I would be able to use to make a feeder!

Click to expand...

Seems to fit in ok and hold the insects while allowing them to climb up and be seen, but like I said, chams will be stubborn, especially mine LOL so I'll let u know if he feeds from it

Looks good! Green really does fit the enclosure well...

KatCham said:

Seems to fit in ok and hold the insects while allowing them to climb up and be seen, but like I said, chams will be stubborn, especially mine LOL so I'll let u know if he feeds from it

Click to expand...

I was more about whether or not the feeders can get out on the sides without the netting I made one a while back, and the bottle was letting them get out where they shouldn't! Was fairly annoying. Will be such a shame to pour pepsi or coca-cola or sprite or whatever down the sink, but we don't drink it! (And those are the only bottles we get that aren't super hard or made of carton)

I suppose the hard part is finding the netting... what did you use to bind it to the bottle?

Well looking at the locust that's in there, it is on the plastic at the top but I'm not sure if its used the cellotape (which is what I stuck the netting to the bottle with) to get up there.

To be honest, I don't mind if they get out eventually as hunting them is good enrichment for Simba. I just wanted somewhere to put the bugs to begin with and hopefully get Simba to move from his basking spot to go n get them lol

His current feeder bowl ( which I decided to leave in for when i feed worms) is under his basking spot so he was just sitting and waiting for the locusts to climb out and to come to him, the lazy bugger lol

I'm hoping the locust feeder will persuade him to move from there and get a bit exercise in the process.

Think it'll be a good idea to have a couple of 'feeding sites' then if any bugs do get out then he can hunt those ones
I don't think there's much a locust can't climb up, other than Vaseline! Don't want to put that in there in case he ingests it.

Good luck with urs

I tried that with a Mt. Dew 2liter bottle and my chams never even went close to it. lol but the green did fit in well. I think I'll give it another shot.

WOOHOO!!! It works a treat!!!

Simba got really excited when I put his locusts in this morning. Off he went on a half run from basking spot over to the other end of his enclosure to spy what was going on.

Didn't even have time to get any pics or vids of him eating the first one!!!

Got a couple of pics and a cool little vid of him catching a few more though! I've never seen him eat one after the other before!!! LOL He's got such an appetite now he's at hotter temps and has more room to move round in. I'm so happy this morning

Here's a pic of him eyeing up his brekky:



And here's the vid of him lapping them up (about 5 mins long if you don't mind watching a cham eat locusts for that long LOL I could watch him do it all day! Excuse b/ground noise, it's just hubby getting ready to leave for work. Gotta love maternity leave - I get to sit in the house all day watching Simba! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSXhjfcg9-Q&feature=player_detailpage

4 out of the 6 down the hatch, then off he went to his basking spot to catch some rays




He sat there for about 20 mins before he decided to go back for 2nd helpings.

One of the locusts had got out of the feeder, but he nabbed it anyway! (I think it'll be good for him to have to hunt a couple as well as the 'easy pickings')
Then back to the feeder for the last one.
He's now back on his basking branch looking rather black, giving those locusts a good toasting.

What an eventful morning! I don't think I'll bother going out in the snow...I'm having too much fun in here!!

Just a little 'housewifey' question while I'm on though LOL.. does anyone know how I can get rid of the watermarks on the glass doors? Tried a few different things but can't seem to shift them. Anyone got any secret tricks for a nice shiney finish? LOL

Oh, I'm laughing out loud at Simba now...he's back at the feeder looking for more!!! He's got THE most 'mischievous puppy' look about him!!! HAHAHA!!!

Now don't be greedy cheeky boy....you'll be getting ur butterworms tomorrow!! LOL

I just love that little man!!!

Basking spot obviously not as good as the real thing???

Just snapped these of Simba making the most of the first real life rays we've seen in a LONG while!! LOL (Not going to get any benefit unfortunatley but he seems to be enjoying himself)




Can't wait for the Summer to get here now so I can get him outside for the real thing!

I love your cage its a fantastic set up.where did you get the wallpaper.have u tried cleaning the glass with balled up newspaper I use that on cars and it works great with windowlene.im sure if you diluted it down it would be safe for simba

babyjoe said:

I love your cage its a fantastic set up.where did you get the wallpaper.have u tried cleaning the glass with balled up newspaper I use that on cars and it works great with windowlene.im sure if you diluted it down it would be safe for simba

Click to expand...

Thank you

Aquarium paper is from Dobbies Garden Centre.

Nope, haven't tried the newspaper/Windowlene thing but I'd be worried about using any chemicals like that in case he drinks the droplets from the glass.

I was thinking of trying vinegar, then rinsing it off thoroughly.

that is awesome!
thanks for sharing.
i used an orange juice bottle

Hey Kate,

I'm afraid the only thing that stopped the watermarks for me was a ro water filter, I was cleaning it twice a day because the "boss" likes a very clean house. It cost me £160.00 if I remember right really easy to fit and you get nice filtered water on tap!!! - Im hoping the steam iron may last longer this time with that water too.

KatCham said:

Thank you

Aquarium paper is from Dobbies Garden Centre.

Nope, haven't tried the newspaper/Windowlene thing but I'd be worried about using any chemicals like that in case he drinks the droplets from the glass.

I was thinking of trying vinegar, then rinsing it off thoroughly.

Click to expand...

The thing with the windowlene is that the newspaper will soak it up again when rubbing it off.I'd spray it on then work it around with the newspaper and get a fresh bit to dry it.is say it would be safe when diluted down but maybe your better not to chance it.even dry newspaper doesn't do too bad

Just another question on your enclosure.how did u work out the angles and size for the perspective on the bottom.or did u just get a sheet a little bigger than the floor and cut at 45 degrees

babyjoe said:

Just another question on your enclosure.how did u work out the angles and size for the perspective on the bottom.or did u just get a sheet a little bigger than the floor and cut at 45 degrees

Click to expand...

The honest answer is I didn't work them out lol!

I just measure one piece that slopes from the front to the back (which is resting on a 1 inch square wooden baton)

Then I measured the side of the enclosure, and the distance from the drainage hole at the back centre to the side and cut a square piece out based on those measurements. Then I cut the square diagonally in half to end up with 2 triangles.

I then put the triangles on 2" high wooden pegs at the back corners, then when u put those on top of the main rectangle piece, it creates the channels for the water to run back to the drainage hole.

I hope that makes sense???

Covering it all with pond liner then hides any little gaps you might have.

Love the pic of him taking advantage of the natural sun rays.....reminds me of my dogs. When sun is shining through the windows or doors they lay in whatever line the sun is shining in. I have had them line up on the floor before. Too cute! Sun is a wonderfully thing!

crocky said:

Love the pic of him taking advantage of the natural sun rays.....reminds me of my dogs. When sun is shining through the windows or doors they lay in whatever line the sun is shining in. I have had them line up on the floor before. Too cute! Sun is a wonderfully thing!

Click to expand...

Haha I know what u mean. My 2 pups are little sun worshippers too!!

Oh you're so right about the sun!! We haven't seen any for the snow over the last couple of weeks, here in the UK.

I just can't wait for the Summer this year. Hoping it'll be a warm one as I'm on maternity leave so I'll be able to sit in the garden with the new baby, my dogs and Simba of course and actually enjoy soaking up those rays for a change!!! It puts you in such a good mood too

That feeder is fantastic! How did you fix it into the viv? I would like to have a go at making a couple for my two eventually!! As far as watermarks go - the best thing I have found is lemon juice! I use it to clean all my glass vivs! Just cut a fresh lemon into quarters and use it as a scourer, rubbing the juice all over the glass. Rinse off and dry with kitchen roll. It is the best thing ever - since someone told me about it I don't use anything else!

Miss Lily said:

That feeder is fantastic! How did you fix it into the viv? I would like to have a go at making a couple for my two eventually!! As far as watermarks go - the best thing I have found is lemon juice! I use it to clean all my glass vivs! Just cut a fresh lemon into quarters and use it as a scourer, rubbing the juice all over the glass. Rinse off and dry with kitchen roll. It is the best thing ever - since someone told me about it I don't use anything else!

Click to expand...

Sorry Tiff, must have missed this!

I just cable tied it in. Ran a cable tie through 2 holes in the bottom of the bottle (so the top of the feeder) then fixed it to the mesh in the roof panel right in the corner. Fits in quite nicely

WOW!! Why didn't I think of that!! Lemons!!! Of course!!! I'll deffo give them a go!!! Thanks hun!!!

KatCham said:

Similar idea to many but thought the green plastic might fit in a bit better than a milk carton! Lol[image]
Just got to install it now

Click to expand...

so much better! why didnt anyone think of that sooner?