non molding climbing sticks?

[Crazy4mantis]

Hi guys,

In the mantis habitats that I spray a lot, mold almost always develops on the climbing sticks. I've tried chopsticks, sticks from outside, and decorative sticks from a vase, but they all molded in a few days! the deli cup enclosures are too cramped for plastic plants. Does anyone know of a non molding climbing stick option?

 

[frogparty]

Ghost wood or sandblasted manzanita

Get some springtails in your tanks. They eat mold

 

[CoolMantid]

More ventilation

 

[dlemmings]

clean every week and good ventilation

 

[Crazy4mantis]

I have a mesh lid, spray every other day, and clean every 4 days. Still mold

 

[rs4guy]

Springtails!!!!!!!! It will solve all your needs of mold, and you wont have to clean except maybe once a month...

 

[happy1892]

Cork bark. You will probably have to buy it.

 

[frogparty]

2 votes for springtails should be a good clue for you.....

 

[happy1892]

2 votes for springtails should be a good clue for you.....

+1! I think springtails will help a lot.

 

[dlemmings]

okay...so is there a springtail thread?

do they work in delicups?

care?

feeding?

 

[happy1892]

okay...so is there a springtail thread?

do they work in delicups?

care?

feeding?

Oh, here this might help.

 

[Crazy4mantis]

can spring tails climb?

 

[happy1892]

can spring tails climb?

Yes.

 

[Crazy4mantis]

they might escape through the net lid, then.

 

[gripen]

they might escape through the net lid, then.

They probably already live in your house to some capacity.

 

[angelofdeathzz]

I use old dead sticks from a live tree(lilac) but the key is to bake them first in the oven at 175-190 for a hour or so, never get mold and I have high RH in most tanks.

The heat seem's to kill the mold spores, not sure but it works for me?

 

[Crazy4mantis]

They probably already live in your house to some capacity.

I better not tell that to my mom. she'll freak out. :lol:

 

[happy1892]

I better not tell that to my mom. she'll freak out. :lol:

:blink: There are animals all around use. Does she know that?

 

[sueb4653]

I use old dead sticks from a live tree(lilac) but the key is to bake them first in the oven at 175-190 for a hour or so, never get mold and I have high RH in most tanks.

The heat seem's to kill the mold spores, not sure but it works for me?

hmmmm never thought about doing that... will try it if I have any problems