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Post by bumcrumb on Sept 11, 2021 13:54:49 GMT
Another newby question here (sorry) but after you guys have pinned your butterfly, where do you store it while it hardens?
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Post by wollastoni on Sept 12, 2021 16:29:46 GMT
While it hardens, store it in a dark place, such as a closed cabinet.
If you live in the tropics, be careful with ants who can eat your specimens.
I keep butterflies one month on spreading boards.
Then before adding them to your collection (once hardened), place the specimen in the freezer for 3 days (to avoid any dermestidae infestation).
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Post by bumcrumb on Sept 12, 2021 18:10:20 GMT
Thanks 👍
When you say a closed cabinet, do you mean a sealed container of come sort to stop pests or just a cupboard open to air etc. I live in England so not very warm or many pests as such
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Post by Adam Cotton on Sept 12, 2021 20:31:48 GMT
I live in England so not very warm or many pests as such You will be surprised how many pests there are in England. Lots of book lice (Psocids) and carpet/museum beetles (Dermestids) just to start with. Also, depending exactly where you live, humidity can be a big problem. Adam. |
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Post by bumcrumb on Sept 12, 2021 21:03:22 GMT
So do I have to keep the drying specimen Inna sealed cupboard or just a dark random unit in the house?
As I'm writing this I've just seen a small pest moth fly past 🙈😅
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Post by exoticimports on Sept 12, 2021 22:34:24 GMT
Well you started the thread on paradox cabinets so you know the right method. Just keep light and pests out.
Chuck
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Post by Adam Cotton on Sept 12, 2021 22:43:27 GMT
If you have a large cardboard box you can make a drying cabinet with a heat source such as an old 60 watt light bulb hanging inside. About a week (or 2 for large insects) should be enough to dry out specimens on spreading boards, and if it's placed in your collection room, which theoretically should be more pest safe than the rest of the house if you keep strict control of any pests in the room, there's less danger of anything getting in. Pests will avoid the heat anyway. By the way, it is best not to have any carpet in your collection room, and the windows should be sealed shut.
Adam.
PS. A week or two shouldn't cause much fading of specimens, especially if you put something dark between them and the light so that it is not shining directly on them; or even better, you can rig up a way to have the light bulb below the setting boards, so the heat is coming up from below.
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Post by bumcrumb on Sept 13, 2021 5:52:32 GMT
Well you started the thread on paradox cabinets so you know the right method. Just keep light and pests out. Chuck I have a 'display' unit for when the insect is set, I just wasn't sure where to keep the insect while it's setting. |
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Post by bumcrumb on Sept 13, 2021 5:57:44 GMT
If you have a large cardboard box you can make a drying cabinet with a heat source such as an old 60 watt light bulb hanging inside. About a week (or 2 for large insects) should be enough to dry out specimens on spreading boards, and if it's placed in your collection room, which theoretically should be more pest safe than the rest of the house if you keep strict control of any pests in the room, there's less danger of anything getting in. Pests will avoid the heat anyway. By the way, it is best not to have any carpet in your collection room, and the windows should be sealed shut. Adam. PS. A week or two shouldn't cause much fading of specimens, especially if you put something dark between them and the light so that it is not shining directly on them; or even better, you can rig up a way to have the light bulb below the setting boards, so the heat is coming up from below. That's perfect thank you for your help... That's all I wanted to know. I'm sorry if my threads have been a little amateurish to some of you but that's what I am, a amature. With all your help I might be able to get somewhere near your guys levels in keeping specimens and enjoy a new hobby for many years to come 👍 Thanks again everyone for the help |
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Post by wollastoni on Sept 13, 2021 7:34:26 GMT
Don't worry, we are here to help.  For the last 30 years, I have put my spreading boards in a closed cupboard. As long as you don't forget, the freezer 3-day period before adding the specimen to your collection once hardened, you won't face any issue. Adam's comments are 100% right (as always). But you can keep things easier when you start a collection. |
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