DIY insect feeder tub

[mues155]

This is my DIY cricket tub.
Some of us that need to buy our crickets in bulk need a place to put all these little bugs.
Instead of using up one of my tanks I decided to use a tub.
I got my tall sterilite tub. (cant remember which size I picked up) I wanted a taller one so when i open the top the crickets cant easily jump out.
My tools used were a box cutter, hardware shears, aluminum screen mesh, sandpaper, and silicone adhesive.

First I made a light cut where I want the mesh to be.

Then VERY carefully using the box cutter, I went around the line I just made.

Then I took the aluminum mesh and layed it over the square hole, cut the mesh to the appropriate size with the shears. You want the mesh about a half inch larger than the hole itself. Use sandpaper to rough the surface of the plastic you will be laying the mesh over.
Then using the silicone adhesive I ran a line of it around the sandpapered surface.
This stuff stinks to high heaven so doing this project outside is nice.
Then lay the mesh over the opening and using a piece of cardboard or something other than your hand, press the mesh down in the adhesive all the way around.
Then put another layer of adhesive over the mesh and smooth it out with the cardboard again.
This makes sure the adhesive is all the way through the mesh and bonding with the plastic.
I hope everyone is still with me.
Let it stand about 5 mins and then every once and a while make sure the mesh hasnt lifted in parts of the adhesive.
The lid should look like this now...


Let it stand about an hour before moving the lid around and full set up takes about 24 hours.

And the finished product...


Now setup can begin for housing crickets inside the tub.
I have never used this silicone adhesive before but im confident it will work fine for insects. Just thought I would share my little project.

[LizardPants]

Nice post! I've taken to using hot glue rather than silicon, because it's a lot quicker than waiting for silicon to dry.

[mues155]

Nice post! I've taken to using hot glue rather than silicon, because it's a lot quicker than waiting for silicon to dry.

I havnt checked on the lids yet but im assuming the bond will be much like hot glue. it was a bit messy was all in all wasnt so bad ill have to try hot glue next time.
Have you ever tried these kinds of lids for rodents? do they hold up?