Not a HUGE deal and in your case every other day should be plenty. I use a moss substrate to hold humidity for a few days and I am in NC.
Is there a certain way to place an ootheca?
- Thread starter robelgado
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Rob Byatt
Well-known member
The best and easiest way is to use silicone sealant.
Don't use a glue gun as the oothecae of this species are thin walled i.e. the eggs are close to the surface. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what 150 C + will do
Don't use a glue gun as the oothecae of this species are thin walled i.e. the eggs are close to the surface. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what 150 C + will do
PhilinYuma
Well-known member
This is a great idea! Most of us on this forum, at least in the US, use a low-heat glue or super glue, though gardeners often use wire for their big ooths. I think that low-heat glue in the US melts at about 120C (248F) but that's still pretty hot, and I have worked enough with cyanocrylate glues in large quantities (by the pint!) to know that they emit very irritating fumes (and no, folks, it is not used in medicine; that's the 2-Octyl variantThe best and easiest way is to use silicone sealant.Don't use a glue gun as the oothecae of this species are thin walled i.e. the eggs are close to the surface. it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what 150 C + will do
) that can't do the eggs any good.Do you use the sealant/glue from the hardware store, Rob? I'm gonna get me a tube!
It's also worth noting that this stuff is cheaper and has a much better shelf life than super glue (checked your little vial, lately?
), and it also stays in place much better than even the "thick" forms of superglue.[Disclaimer: All of the kickback money that I get from the Silicone Syndicate for this recommendation will be used for my defense against the lawsuits brought by the Cyanocrylate Combine]
I wouldn't. Use the glue gun like I said. Yes, the ooth is thin walled but the key is to let it cool. You only need a TINY drop to hold an ooth since they weigh nothing. I use a low temp glue gun.
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Whichever glue you are using, glue it on the edge of the oothecae.
Glue gun uses heat element (metal near the gun point) to melt the plastic glue. For low tempoerature glue gun, the metal can go up to 120C, but the glue started to melt at WAY lower temperature which is around 60-70C, and by the time it came out of the metal gun the glue cools down rapidly to even lower temperature so for large ootheca i usually use glue gun. Besides it is easier to maneuever, and non-harzadous and odorless. So don't misunderstood that you are actually applying 120C directly towards the ootheca. I have used silicone sealant too, i couldn't find one that allows me to point and shoot so the typical glue gun appear to be more user-friendly to me. Besides some silicone sealant are hazardous and smell. For smaller ootheca, i sometimes go for simple stuff like clay if you are afraid that the glue will burn the ootheca. THe foam of an ootheca can bey stronger than we thought, it is pretty durable and able to withstand all kinds of temperature. I have used glue gun directly applying to the edge of the smallest Pseudoharpax virescens ootheca and it still hatched. This species breed like rabbits - i swear - i was hoping the glue gun kills the ootheca this way So while it is easier to blame on the glue gun for ootheca not hatching, it is really to produce a fertile/healthy ootheca that is more important than the method of gluing the ooth.
Glue gun uses heat element (metal near the gun point) to melt the plastic glue. For low tempoerature glue gun, the metal can go up to 120C, but the glue started to melt at WAY lower temperature which is around 60-70C, and by the time it came out of the metal gun the glue cools down rapidly to even lower temperature so for large ootheca i usually use glue gun. Besides it is easier to maneuever, and non-harzadous and odorless. So don't misunderstood that you are actually applying 120C directly towards the ootheca. I have used silicone sealant too, i couldn't find one that allows me to point and shoot so the typical glue gun appear to be more user-friendly to me. Besides some silicone sealant are hazardous and smell. For smaller ootheca, i sometimes go for simple stuff like clay if you are afraid that the glue will burn the ootheca. THe foam of an ootheca can bey stronger than we thought, it is pretty durable and able to withstand all kinds of temperature. I have used glue gun directly applying to the edge of the smallest Pseudoharpax virescens ootheca and it still hatched. This species breed like rabbits - i swear - i was hoping the glue gun kills the ootheca this way
So while it is easier to blame on the glue gun for ootheca not hatching, it is really to produce a fertile/healthy ootheca that is more important than the method of gluing the ooth.
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No need to really spread it. I just use one tiny drop on one end of the ooth and it holds it no problem.
I prefer the lid so they can emerge without any problems. Just make sure the few inches of space directly below the ooth is clear of any obstructions.
Emile.Wilson
Well-known member
Hehe... good luck containing and dealing with the anticipation! :lol:
:lol: 
