As we go about collecting our insects, I often arrive at overflow issues. My 2 metal "cookie containers" are full, as is my large Tupperware container storing all our ladybugs from the Loyola beach visit (waiting for labels). I started using our takeout containers to store and pin some of the bugs, and I noticed this soft white growth on my specimens.
Trouble with Mold and Insect Collecting - Take Out Containers As Storage
These boxes have all been filled in the last few days, since it's the end of summer and the insects are "dropping like flies, or bees - as the case may be. These specimens we've collected in our neighborhood - many of which are found in the afternoon en route to pick up the boys after school or after our late afternoon park visit. We don't see these on our morning walks to school (except for the Bumble Bee in the left box, without Pollen baskets, he was sitting on a flower on a chilly September morning, alive but stunned). We always have a big jar with us this time of year. My Older son found it and collected him off the weeds my neighbor grows, and then when we returned home he was frozen. But not before he started buzzing about in the warmth of my pocket.
Here's our temporary storage (in takeout containers) where we keep the bugs after they are pinned, they "cure" in the positions I've staged them in, keeping there legs out, antennae up, etc. They await their labels too, so I keep scrap paper in the box with my shortcut note on the bug type, date found, by whom, and where.
LIFE IS STILL EXCITING AT OUR HOUSE!
With more insects. . .
AMI Studios Chicago
It's mostly baby girls videos and here slime making, she spends time with friends on coloring activities and make good choices while having fun. During the covid stay at home orders - she had many many many facetime pandemic playdates - we made time work for us and not be bored.
Trouble with Mold and Insect Collecting - Take Out Containers As Storage
White fuzz on Pinned Insect (I ended up throwing him in the compost pile :-(
As for solutions, well I'm not going to use the plastic containers anymore. I could put moth crystals or Moth ball scrapes in the box, however these are stored in the drawer in the kitchen, and I'm concerned about long term fumes associated with the moth balls and my kids. Neurological related issues, etc.
1. I am going to have to thrift shop for some more large Tupperware and cookie tins (sometimes stores labels these collectible and too pricey).
2. I'll need a pre-label solution. I've found labels for insect order, and I'll have to make my own for our common locations (at home, at grandmas, and if we head out on a road trip, pre-destination labels).
3. And of course, move these insects quicker into a permanent home. So over winter, while collecting slows to a turtle slow pace, only finding specimens in spider webs and at home, we will be thrifting for more storage boxes (I'm loving the old silverware boxes for this).
Now that I've labeled the insects I the takeout containers, I can't risk more mold growth, so there going to be sorted to their permanent homes today!
Make Mistakes. Reflect, breathe and Laugh.out.loud
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