Cleaning small vials with baby mantids

[JoeCapricorn]

So it's been several days since I received my four lovely baby Sphodromantises. There have been tiny brown dots collecting at the bottom of the cage. Now, some of these brown dots seem to "melt" when I add water. Also, I know these brown dots will eventually start accumulating. Do I need to worry about these brown dots? Should I clean the brown dots? How would I go about doing that?

I use paper towels as substrate. How often should I change this?

 

[sbugir]

It's poop! . You don't need to worry about it too much, but once in a while a good cleanout and replacement paper towel is good.

 

[JoeCapricorn]

It's poop! . You don't need to worry about it too much, but once in a while a good cleanout and replacement paper towel is good.

lol, I know it's poo, I was just making a funny :3

How would I go about cleaning it out? Rinsing with distilled water?

 

[sbugir]

lol, I know it's poo, I was just making a funny :3How would I go about cleaning it out? Rinsing with distilled water?

Yep, just rinse it , and put the new towel in. I suppose you could make a 50/50 of bleach and water, but I don't see the point in doing that to wash few vials.

I'd just rinse it

 

[Rick]

Soap and warm water. I do it every few weeks or so. Often though with the paper towels I can just replace that and all is good.

 

[PhilinYuma]

Soap and warm water. I do it every few weeks or so. Often though with the paper towels I can just replace that and all is good.

Yep.

 

[JoeCapricorn]

And if it is completely dry, traces of soap won't hurt the mantises?

 

[Katnapper]

And if it is completely dry, traces of soap won't hurt the mantises?

You should be able to rinse well enough to be no traces of soap. But even if you do a sloppy job, I doubt any miniscule residue would hurt them.

 

[Emile.Wilson]

I toss my containers in the dishwasher, after a quick rinse under the tap.

 

[hibiscusmile]

I always use dish soap and they never blow bubbles when they drink from the sides :lol:

did I mention I hate our smilies today?