Mesh for the cricket feeder?

[Progrmor]

Hello!
Currently working on a kind of Sunny D feeder cup. Picture below.
And the mesh I tried using just a few minutes ago is plastic and would melt when coming in contact with the hot glue. Not good. So what mesh are you guys using that the crix etc can climb on? I been thinking of getting aluminum mesh that you use for cars grill. Might that be dangerous?

 

[MelissaB]

I use plastic gutter guard, b/c I had a roll I use for my silkworms. I just poke holes through the plastic feeding container and use 2 or 3 zip ties instead of glue. I cut a piece of gutter guard to fit inside the container with an inch or so from the gutter guard to the edge of the container, so the little buggers don't jump out. So far it's working great. You could do the same thing with wire if your mesh is too small to fit a zip tie.

 

[ashutt19]

Your local hardware store should sell an aluminum screen mesh for windows and doors that would work. Won't melt and the feeds can't chew through it.

 

[MSAquatics]

I use fiberglass window screen. I've made several sunny-d style cricket feeders for my outdoor cages, and have glued it to the lids of my cricket, and dubia containers with no problems. I put the screen on the back of the cutout sunny-d container and glue through the screen, rubbing the hot glue gun back & forth in a tight zig-zag motion. You can go back with a razor blade and trim around the edges to clean up the screen edges nicely.

Leland

 

[melble68]

I found some fiberglass (non metalic) screen patch that has a sticky back at Home Depot yesterday. They're like 3"x3" patches. Used two full ones, and then cut one down in 1/2 to go down the neck of the bottle. So far so good, they're sticking real nice.

 

[jmwhitel]

I found some fiberglass (non metalic) screen patch that has a sticky back at Home Depot yesterday. They're like 3"x3" patches. Used two full ones, and then cut one down in 1/2 to go down the neck of the bottle. So far so good, they're sticking real nice.

This is one of the many reasons why I LOVE this forum! Thanks

OMW to Lowes now

 

[maven]

This is one of the many reasons why I LOVE this forum! Thanks

OMW to Lowes now

I was literally about to go to the store to buy materials for my own feeder cup and was wondering what I should use for the screen material. I totally agree with you about this forum! I would be lost without everyone's help!

 

[melble68]

I learn new stuff and modify some incredible ideas from folks all the time.

My favorite tip from last week: use an inline dimmer on your basking light to get the temp you are looking for. I was going back in forth between and 40 and 60 watter depending on the outside temp that was effecting my basking temp. Now I just use the 60 watter and move the slider.

 

[IvoryBolt]

So...How do these work?? Are the bugs too dumb to get out?

 

[renderit1]

I use mine for the feeder worms. you have to make sure you hot glue around the whole screen and as a safety precaution, glue the edges where you cut the container so the cham doesn't cut itself when shooting its tongue. I also cut out most of the can leaving enough so the worms don't get out when they extend.

So...How do these work?? Are the bugs too dumb to get out?

Yea, all they do is try to climp to the top, then they fall down and start over. pretty neat and a great beginners DIY

 

[IvoryBolt]

epic! that's so genius!! My fiance is going to love that xD

 

[Ninkylou]

I bought a 100' roll of the gutter mesh. I use it for a ton of things. I have even skirted around the bottom tray of my enclosures so that when feeders end up on the floor, and their natural tendency is to climb they can get back up the sides of the enclosure and are not wasted. I not glued it all around the enclosure. it also keeps roaches from getting between the bottom tray and escaping.

 

[ridgebax1]

So...How do these work?? Are the bugs too dumb to get out?

They can't climb the smooth sides of inside of the container. But the plastic has to be smooth any little bit of texture and they climb right out!

 

[Progrmor]

They can't climb the smooth sides of inside of the container. But the plastic has to be smooth any little bit of texture and they climb right out!

Well, mine failed.. The sides felt really smooth but the dubias and crickets were climbing out

 

[Psychobunny]

I use quart size plastic milk containers.
They are very smooth on the inside.
I tried plastic mesh, but the cricks ate holes in it!!

Now, I use aluminum, just a thin strip hot glued.
Put a few holes in the bottom, and attach to cage with magnets:

Like this;

 

[Psychobunny]

Oh, and a few will still climb out, or jump out, but your hungry cham will
catch them

 

[MelissaB]

Pyschobunny, love the magnet use! I'm going to do that on my next feeder cup!

 

[Mijah139]

Ive seen people use sticks for the crickets to climb up instead of mesh. Seems cheaper, easier, and more natural. Just something to consider as I havent tried this myself.

 

[Psychobunny]

You actually don't need anything for them to climb.
Just get a small piece of coarse sandpaper, and sand a strip.
They can climb the rough surface.

 

[melble68]

Pyschobunny, love the magnet use! I'm going to do that on my next feeder cup!

Ditto on the two magnets. Totally great idea.