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Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
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Subject Topic: how to store bugs? Post ReplyPost New Topic
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divinagrace
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Posted: Feb 29 2008 at 9:02am | IP Logged Quote divinagrace
We have found a few big bugs, dead, but still in tact. We would like to keep them to start a bug collection for nature studies, but I don't know how to store them. What are some good ways to store bugs???

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MacBeth
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Posted: Feb 29 2008 at 9:16am | IP Logged Quote MacBeth
Put them in small boxes, like the kind of cardboard boxes that small jewelry comes in, or clear bug boxes, with a bit of moth flake. Bugs eat bugs, so you need to create a toxic atmosphere in a small space to prevent this from happening.

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Rebecca
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Posted: Feb 29 2008 at 10:03am | IP Logged Quote Rebecca
I posted a photo of my son's bug collection here.    I didn't know about the moth flake, MacBeth. So far ours are ok after a couple of years but I will have to pick some up next time I see it.
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MacBeth
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Posted: Feb 29 2008 at 10:34am | IP Logged Quote MacBeth
Rebecca wrote:
I posted a photo of my son's bug collection here.    I didn't know about the moth flake, MacBeth. So far ours are ok after a couple of years but I will have to pick some up next time I see it.


It might depend on how well sealed they are, too. Sometimes, though, the specimens get eaten on the inside, and you don't notice until you move them and they crumble . The moth flake is just a precaution.

Also, exposure to light is a factor, both for color and integrity--thus the big drawers in basement rooms of museums.

Nice swallowtail in that collection, Rebecca!

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divinagrace
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Posted: Feb 29 2008 at 10:56am | IP Logged Quote divinagrace
Thank you MacBeth and Rebecca for your responses.

Can the bugs be stored in plastic bags, either permanently or temporarily? Or will something about a plastic bag cause the bug to decompose or disintegrate?

I know nothing, so please bare with the questions.

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MacBeth
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Posted: Feb 29 2008 at 12:33pm | IP Logged Quote MacBeth
I am not sure if the plastic is a problem in the short term, but they are not great protection for the specimens...they could be easily crushed.

No worries with the questions, divina!

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cathhomeschool
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Posted: March 01 2008 at 10:30am | IP Logged Quote cathhomeschool
We keep our bugs in small "tackle boxes" (like this, but smaller). They are by no means airtight, and I didn't know about moth flake, so I'll have to get some. Maybe the moth ball smell will drown out the dead bug smell when we open the boxes.   

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