8 step Construction of a Roach Motel

[Bowfinger]

I decided to build two breeding/holding cages for my lateralis with the idea of keeping them in and other bugs out with no room for error on this. I want my collection to be 99% safe from any introduced germs once I get fully up and running. I might change some things next time but here goes the first plan. Start by making a sealed door on the not so sealed lid (this lid will be caulked into place)...

using wood for sturdy "door"...

wood is primed then screwed/caulked into place, screen is made to fit; in this case just over the wood frame, nothing too fancy...

drill holes in all four corners, add stick on foam sealer to frame and use screws/wingnuts to clamp down. There might be simplified daily use options other than wingnuts...

finally the wood is sprayed with matching paint and original lid is glued into place for the final product...

 

[lessthantito]

looks good I did the same thing for crickets but instead of wood I just riveted the screenframe to the lid and siliconed it in

 

[Bowfinger]

I would have done that but I glued the lid down. They are not made with a tight seal, there are gaps in the flimsy plastic even when snapped shut, that was my point in doing all the work.

 

[Haroldo]

You know what Shane, I've been looking at these pics trying to understand why you went through all the work, but it just became apparent: you have no intentions on taking the actual top off--rather, you will unscrew the screen frame for access. Not something I would've thought of, but innovative none-the-less. Really concerned about escapees huh? :lol:

 

[Bowfinger]

My concern for escapees was the motivation behind the project. I also wanted to keep gnats and flies out so that my roaches are clean of introduced pathogens. I am caring for my roaches in a way to increase their nutritional value in turn passing this on to my collection, I don't want any new parasite, bacteria or fungus taking away from all that effort if I can help it. It has turned out a success so far, except I will eventually rework the top to a hinged / snap shut deal so I can cut on time spent opening the cages.

On a side note about the lids, I had similar tops with screen melted to the original tops for some Forest Dragons and Mountain Dragon set ups. Any holes where sealed. But, I still found fly/wasps finding their way through the gaps in the flimsy lids. These not only act parasitic (one type at least) laying their eggs in the host sometimes causing death, but can carry bacteria and fungus from cage to cage. I keep my geckos in an area close to water/creak habitat that has many of these little pests naturally, so is hard to just eraticate the problem...I have to proof from the problem.