Looking for alternatives to tree branches, they appear to be going mouldy in only a week. Do you guys have alternatives that are safe, easy for the little dudes to traverse, don't go mouldy, and look good aesthetically? Would some type of plastic vine be acceptable or do they require something with a little more surface area?
Climbing materials for mantids
- Thread starter Bdawg
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I like the bags onions come in. the net if stretched is big enough for nymphs new hatchings to crawl thru, but older ones like it to..
just watch they don't get stuck in it. I have all kinds of plastic screening on my site, I use a lot of it too. Also try some Excelsior
as this makes easy climbing, kinda messy some times though. don't use a lot, they only need enough to move around on, not
globs of it.
just watch they don't get stuck in it. I have all kinds of plastic screening on my site, I use a lot of it too. Also try some Excelsior
as this makes easy climbing, kinda messy some times though. don't use a lot, they only need enough to move around on, not
globs of it.
PrayingMantisPets
Well-known member
Sponge. You can do cool sculptures. Some guy did it I’ll link it, but sadly the photos are gone.
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Nanodot
Well-known member
I'm lining some of my tanks with coconut fiber liner used for planters and for vivarium backgrounds. It is made of coconut fibers glued together with a smidge of latex. I have it in the hot humid tank I will be using for Devil's Flower nymphs, and there has been no mold at all. It also works great to separate soil from the false bottom in a vivarium, and fruit flies are happy to pupate on it. I bought a 36 inch by 33 foot roll, so I use it for everything I can... I glue it to the tank wall with silicone.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Preview attachment 20171114_233358.jpg
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Preview attachment 20171114_233358.jpg
PrayingMantisPets
Well-known member
Teamonger
Well-known member
The cocofibre "fabric" is a wonderful idea! I'm going to have to try that as well.
Another option is cork board like the stuff bulletin boards are made of. I know in Canada I could buy squares of it at the dollarstore in the craft section. I've used that in a few smaller setups and it seems to make good climbing and looks pretty good (not as good as that cocofibre though).
Another option is cork board like the stuff bulletin boards are made of. I know in Canada I could buy squares of it at the dollarstore in the craft section. I've used that in a few smaller setups and it seems to make good climbing and looks pretty good (not as good as that cocofibre though).
Ocelotbren
Well-known member
Are you freezing or baking your sticks first? That might help prevent the mold. I haven't had mold on any of the sticks I bring in from outside after freezing for 48 hours. I also use a lot of fake plants, like terrarium and aquarium decorations, and also fake plants from craft stores. Lots of variety at craft stores so you can choose from all kinds of flowers, vines, and leaves.
DeShawn
Well-known member
You can get a roll of FIBERGLASS VENT MESH and cut to size. The holes are big enough and the material is thin enough to not cut out too much visibility.
As someone mentioned previously, CORK UNDERLAYMENT can also be useful.
You can also get fake vines for pretty cheap. Search amazon for ENGLISH IVY VINES or other types of fake vines.
A cool thing you can do with the vines is to glue MAGNETS to them and put another magnet on the other side of the enclosure to hold them in place. Also makes it easier to move the vines around by moving the magnets. Small suction cups work well too on solid surfaces, but I use netting enclosures mostly so the magnets work better for me.
Just a few ideas...
As someone mentioned previously, CORK UNDERLAYMENT can also be useful.
You can also get fake vines for pretty cheap. Search amazon for ENGLISH IVY VINES or other types of fake vines.
A cool thing you can do with the vines is to glue MAGNETS to them and put another magnet on the other side of the enclosure to hold them in place. Also makes it easier to move the vines around by moving the magnets. Small suction cups work well too on solid surfaces, but I use netting enclosures mostly so the magnets work better for me.
Just a few ideas...
