The reason I am concerned about getting the milkweed out of the container is because it is a nice sprig of currassavica that was tightly inserted into a sealed water container. This caterpillar pupating took me by surprise - I thought he was undergoing his final moult - so I didn't want to bother him when he was hanging from the top. So there is also frass in there. I don't want things to get moldy or infected. I think I will do as you suggested - very carefully remove the band and lift the chrysalis attached to the mesh, and place it over another disinfected container and secure it with a flat elastic band, which is easier to control than just a rubber one. I have a pretty delicate touch and will likely be successful - I guess I am just nervous, doing this for the first time. Thanks so much for your advice!!

Yes, I added bark mulch just before this week of all rain. Maybe it was the combination of the bark mulch and all the rain. Hopefully they will recover. I'll move some bark mulch away to see if it improves. Thanks.

First, I would try replacing your filter of the high MERV type with a standard, cheap (throw away) type. See if that solves your problem. This you can do yourself. Sometimes, those filters are too restrictive and can decrease the airflow across your evaporator coil such that the thing ices up. Second, (and you may want to consult a professional on this--definitely, absolutely cut the power to the unit first!) is to check your blower compartment and see if it is extremely dirty (or if the evaporator coil is extremely dirty). These factors can prevent adequate airflow across your evaporator coil thus increasing the likelihood that it ices up. Another good thing to check is to see if your OUTDOOR coil on your condensing unit is clean. If the thing is plugged with leaves, hair, dirt, dead grass, etc...this isn't good either. Third, you want to have a professional check your refrigerant charge on your unit. If all other factors are eliminated, an icing coil typically means low refrigerant charge. If the refrigerant charge is correct, then the thing to do as a "try" would be to have the technician (or yourself if you are so qualified) to increase your blower speed. This will decrease the likelihood that your coil ices up. Another possibility could be (unlikely) a stuck TXV valve or plugged metering orifice or a pinched lineset. Please (by all means) consult a professional if you do not feel qualified or able to do these things. A service call is only 100 bucks to check it out.

Just leave them be for now and monitor. If there's condensation on the inside of the container they don't need water. As it gets warmer, some of them might, but usually mine get by on spring rain/melt until it gets much closer to LFD. IMO, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to take the lids off too soon. One 70 or 75 degree day here or there isn't likely to fry them, and as long as the night-time temps are low they can use the protection of the containers. A couple of years ago we had a little bit of a warm up in April. I took the lids off and many of my plants, especially the tomatoes, did not grow -- it just wasn't consistently warm enough. My mistake was totally removing the tops and discarding. I should have just pulled them back then closed them when it got cooler. If you're using milk jugs or 2L bottles, the extra warmth generated by keeping the tops on is more beneficial than not. Again, just monitor -- if the sprouts look like they're drying out, water. If they look like they're suffering from too much heat (wilting, etc.) then open them up during the day and close at night. It all depends on where you are, but if you're getting 70 then 38 then 60 etc. I'd keep the lids on for a while longer. You didn't mention when your LFD is. Mine's around April 30. Until then, the tops are staying on.