Well too late for mine, but curious as to how others prevent destruction by pests of their dried mantids. I have had these for a few years now and suddenly they have little debris piles under each one. Most are ruined. Most upset about losing the Idolomantis male and female.
How to protect dried mantis collection?
- Thread starter Rick
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Ntsees
Well-known member
I use moth balls. I usually place my specimens in a closed container with moth balls inside so that the fumes will be contained. After some time, you'll have to replace the moth balls though.
guapoalto049
Well-known member
I use Vaportape from Bioquip, then run scotch tape over the back seams of the display case
*also use silica gel packets
*also use silica gel packets
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MOTH CRYSTALS. I know, I have had mine eaten by some small mites or moths, not sure which.
ps, also had some eaten in cold winter by mice :{
ps, also had some eaten in cold winter by mice :{
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That will protect from moisture, but not insects, but of course u know that.
Aw, here is idea, don't know if will work, how bout putting (cant find the spelling) fine graines fossels (earth) in back of riker box, suppossed to kill insects by grinding them to pieces..... sounds like something hitler would use..... :devil:
meaganelise9
Well-known member
The bad thing about moth balls is that if you have cats, it will cause them kidney damage. This is something I'd like to do in the future. I've played with 2-part resins before, making jewelry and such. It's not too hard.
I just want to weigh in about how toxic mothballs can be. I can't offer other suggestions, but I would look into the other ideas first. Right now, I can't even open my windows because the smell of mothballs is permeating the property something horrible...apparently a neighbor had them in a garage, and the property management had to clean it up, and now the smell just won't quit. Sorry to digress!
meaganelise9
Well-known member
No, I agree. They're too smelly and toxic/noxious.
I've never done any pinning of butterflies or bugs, so I don't know how people preserve those. I've often wondered if you could just spray a thin coating of resin on the outside of a bug without casting the whole thing in a block. Maybe I'll play around with that some day.
