Let's talk about hygiene in the rearing containers!

Hello to you all,

I think can be useful to know the experiences of each member so I would ask to you the following:
- How much caterpillars do you keep in each cage (you can specify the size of the cage/container) without having disease problems?
- What thing do you use for cleaning the cages? And what can be the best for disinfect the containers from virus?

I use a solution of water + bleach (hypochlorite) but I think can be something better.

Hello Mario,
I'm not sure that there is an optimal density of cats. I think that some species even need to be gregarious . But you are right, the more you have the more often you must clean!
About bleach, I use it also but I know that it doesn't kill everything.
There is another product, I don't remenber the name right know but I will tell you later, used in hopitals, which is more efficient.
Direct exposition to light containing UV (sun , artificial bulb) is very usefull too.

After deinfection with bleech or Amonium I use to put the container for 2 min in the Microwave oven. I don't think lot of things would resist 800 Wat of radiation.
About density... deppends on the species, but for keeping clear the container in L2 and L3 I use a plastic net at the bottom of the container to keep separated food-cats from deyections.
Will post pics when I would have little more time.

This is the mounted device. You can see 3 Actias selene cats (L2-L3) on Schinus molle
Deyections fall into the bottom of the can and food and cats are kept clean.

Verty thanks for the photo, Fede.
Did you rear successfully A. selene with Schinus mlle until pupation?
Do you know if Schinus can go well also with other Actias (maenas, sinensis, doubernardi)?

Thanks again

After pupation only tried with Argema mittrei.
The selene is first time, I expect would be succeed

Hi Fede, sorry for asking so late, but do you remember if those Actias selene larvae go well on Schinus molle until pupation?