I just ordered two of these for my Black Swallowtails. I release them after they eclose, but I like a big space for them to wander around and find the perfect place to pupate. Also, if they eclose while I'm at work, they have space to fly around a bit.

Those do look nice weed30, I'm in the process of looking for something as well. I've attached the link for some plans for making butterfly cages on monarchwatch.org. These don't have zippers though. I do like the one with picnic food covers and they can be used for breeding as well. They all look relatively easy to make but since I'd have to go out to buy the fabric or netting anyway I may just buy premade to save the step. I'm curious to see what others are using as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: monarch watch cage ideas

Yes the hampers are great, and I bought a couple here too: educationalscience.com/terrariums
They are more expensive, although not too bad, and nice for the kids as they have the viewing window. Also the $19.99 version is 4 ft high and my son goes in there with the b-flies, and really loves it!

the hampers are great! I'll have to order like 2. I like the square, but these work great! i never knew hampers had zippers. I was at the craft store yesterday(get shotglasses with lids for caterpillars) and said: too bad hampers dont have zippers. I'm ordering them!

I have top-entry (like the hampers) and also side-entry (a product called "Reptarium" from PetSmart). I find that the top-entry has a problem:

Many caterpillars like to get up in the cozy top edge of the cage to pupate. As a result, I have difficulty opening the cage -- sometimes can't do it at all, without getting the cat caught in the zipper.

Jeff

Yes good point Jeff. I only have one of those and if I use it for cats then I lay it on the side so at least they (probably) won't attach to or near the zipper. Usually I just use that one for releases or temporary holding, or for holding fallen chrysalides until they eclose.

actually, i do not use them for caterpillars. as soon as all make chrysalises, i transfer them. If any are on side of cup, and gently remove it and glue it to cardboard, like at the butterfly exhibits. I would also raise painted ladies year round on artificial diet, so i would use these for butterflies instead of my smaller one.

regarding the issue of pupating on the roof, couldn't you just lay it on its side?

wouldn't that be do-able?

~ amy

Interesting thought. Perhaps I'll try it. The problem is access: one small door at the bottom, one even smaller door at the top.

But on its side...hm.

Go to Wal-Mart.com They have laundry hampers of a white mesh that are quite large and have a zipper top. Big enough to put plants in but collapse for storage. I usually put one of the plastic plant saucers in the bottom so that whatever containers are holding the plants with cats on them don't spill over.

I also use mesh laundry baskets. They are cylindrical, about 3 feet tall with a 20" diameter. I made a nylon cover with elastic that I stretch over the top. They work well and cost about $10. I set potted plants inside the basket so I don't have to worry about picking leaves and keeping them in water. Since it's nylon you can hose it out and it dries almost immediately. It's also collapsible so they don't take up much space when not in use.

My mesh ones are 18" across by 26" high and they zip close. I ordered two and they came delivered to the local store for pickup. Think they were about $11 each last fall.

Just a warning about Educational Science (educationalscience.com). It has an F rating from the BBB. The listing is under the company name Biogentex Laboratories. I've ordered butterfly enclosures/tents from them in the past with no problems, but I've been waiting since February for a popup greenhouse they charged me for but still haven't shipped. The company won't respond to me, so I've filed a complaint with the BBB.

Another person on this forum told me about a website that sells the same enclosure I was ordering from Educational Science. It's five dollars cheaper, and the company (enasco) has an A rating with the BBB. I've linked to the enclosure - it's 27" x 27" x 48" and it's $20. They also sell a smaller one - 16.5" x 16.5" x 30" for $15. The bigger size is exactly what I need for my milkweed plants - even then I have to fold the plants down a little.

Tim
www.WildlifeTheater.com

Here is a link that might be useful: 48-inch high butterfly enclosure

I didn't have a good experience with Educational Science either (educationalscience.com).

If it were me, I'd rethink ordering from them.

Mary

I make my own butterfly cages. The mesh is cheap and tight enough that my painted lady cats can't get out. The mesh I buy is "fusible interfacing" from the fabric store. Fusible interfacing is just very fine nylon mesh, which is almost identical to the the nice zipper cage mesh. I print out 40% one item coupons from any of the major craft store chains and buy enough for a lot of cages.

For the frames I have a large wood cage for the breeding colony and small cages I built by welding fine steel welding rods then brazing the joints with bronze. (they're pretty much bullet proof.) It's also possible to bend stiff wire into loops and seal the loops together with epoxy, then cover with mesh.

For small larvae cages the mesh covering is just one piece, shaped like an L. The long part of the L is 4 sides and the tail of the L folds over to become the top, I sew it together with a sewing machine then do a few stitches to hold the mesh in places along the bottom edge. The open bottom goes over tray of host plant sprouts.

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Posted by edusci (My Page) on
Sat, Oct 9, 10 at 11:24

Tim Doyle complained that he never received a pop-up greenhouse after ordering it. The company in California that drop ships this item for Educational Science led us to believe that the item was in stock when it was actually back ordered. As soon as we received notice that the item was back ordered and did not drop ship, Tim Doyle was credited back in full and offered a FREE Flowerhouse pop-up greenhouse. We have no record of phone calls or emails from Mr. Tim Doyle. Educational Science has had over three years of documented problems with the MSN server--both in receiving and sending emails and Q-system phone messages delivered via email ( MSN-800-494-2962 Case # 1135555813) and did not receive any BBB or customer complaints via email, fax or mail which resulted in an arbitrary BBB F rating. According to the BBB, any company that does not respond to a customer complaint will receive a F rating. As a matter of fact, our original email edusci@msn stopped working and we had to change our email to educationalscience@msn.com (documented), which further disrupted communication with our customers. MSN is aware of the server issue and has assured us they are working to resolve the issue.
Again, the BBB will arbitrarily give a company a F rating if just one BBB complaint is not answered. Mr. Tim Doyal was credited back and offered a free pop-up greenhouse. Since responding to the one unanswered complaint our rating with the BBB is now A. (see below or contact the BBB)
We have grown exponentially and are in the process of hiring more customer service reps to handle the high volume of calls and emails. We are also working with MSN to help resolve the server email syncronization problem which led to the arbitrary company rating by the BBB. The rating of our company by the BBB is now A.

If you have a retail store or online business we offer our products at wholesale prices. Some our distributors, like NASCO offers our items --Butterfly kits,large pop-up cages, and nets, monarch butterflies at below MSRP.

We also offer year round milkweed plants and monarch larvae.

Janice
www.educationalscience.com
www.texagenLS.com

Better Business Bureau
Start With Trust
Serving Greater Houston and South Texas

BBB Business Review Reliability Report for
Biogentex Laboratories, Inc.

Rating: A

Ratings Explanation...

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Find out more about this business:
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This business is not a BBB Accredited Business.

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Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of A on a scale from A+ to F.

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Business Contact & Profile
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Business Name: Biogentex Laboratories, Inc.
Educational Science
Business Address: 610 Clear Creek Avenue, Suite C
League City, TX 77573
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Original Business Start Date: 12/31/1993
Local Business Start Date: 12/31/1993
Type of Entity: Corporation
Incorporated: 1995 in TX
Principals: James C. Wiggins, President/CEO
Janice Rogers, Administrative Assistant
Phone Number: (281) 554-9783
(281) 334-2064
Fax Number: (281) 557-4340
Email Address: jcw_edusci@msn.com
BBB Accreditation: This business is not a BBB Accredited Business
Type of Business: BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS
Website Address:

http://www.educationalscience.com http://www.butterflystores.com http://www.texagenLS.com http://www.ealestra.com

Products & Services
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This company specializes in Molecular & Cell Biology Reagents & Kits, Biotech & Life Science Kits & Equipment & Biotech Education Kits & Equipment.

Business Management
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Ms. Janice Rogers , Administrative Assistant
Mr. James C. Wiggins , President/CEO

Additional Locations & Phone Numbers
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1629 Corniche Street League City , TX 77573
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P O Box 747 League City , TX 77574
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(281) 554-9783
(760) 203-1100
(800) 832-3596
(281) 557-4340 - Fax

Customer Complaint History
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When considering complaint information, please take into account the business's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

BBB processed a total of 8 complaint(s) about this business in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total 8 complaint(s) closed in the last 36 months, 5 were closed in the last 12 months.

These complaints concerned:

1 regarding Customer Services Issues
1 regarding Customer Services Issues
1 regarding Delivery Issues
1 regarding Delivery Issues
1 regarding Product Issues
1 regarding Product Issues
5 regarding Refund Or Exchange Issues
5 regarding Refund Or Exchange Issues

These complaints were closed as:

8 Resolved
4 Assumed Resolved
2 Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
2 Resolved

Janice
Educational Science

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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Educational Science Now has an A rating with BBB clip this post email this post what is this?
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Posted by edusci (My Page) on
Sat, Oct 9, 10 at 12:31

Rick,
Just prior to your placing an order with us for the cages, our stock was depleted by multiple large orders. Normally, the cages take one day to ship from the APOGEE warehouse in Dallas to our location. We offered to immediately credit back your account or optionally to ship your order when the Apogee terrarium cages arrived (usually one day from Dallas) I am personally looking into why the cages took one week to get in and why Cecilia misinformed you about the expected date of arrival. It was probably due to the fact that when we placed our last order with Apogee they were out of stock and we had to wait until their CHINA order arrived. We are looking into manufacturing our own line of Apogee like cages with parasite proof netting. WE apologize for any inconvenience. We would be more than happy to send you a FREE LH38 cage for all your trouble. Please contact Cecilia or April on Tuesday as we are closed for the Columbus day holiday. We look forward to sending you a free Apogee reptarrium. The large pop-up Butterfly breeding cages are imported from China and we have several thousand in stock. Today we have them on sale!!!!!!
By the way, if one complaint goes unanswered, a company will receive an arbitrary F rating by the BBB. Our rating is now A with the BBB.

I sincerely appreciate your understanding in this matter. Our aim is to please all of our customers. Cecilia has been reprimanded and I personally do not think she will be with the company much longer.

Kind regards,

Educational Science has an A rating from BBB clip this post email this post what is this?
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Posted by edusci (My Page) on
Sat, Oct 9, 10 at 12:01

Rick
Just prior to your placing an order with us for the cages, our stock was depleted by multiple large orders. Normally, the cages take one day to ship from the warehouse in Dallas to our location. We offered to immediately credit back your account or optionally to ship your order when the Apogee terrarium cages arrived (usually one day from Dallas) I am personally looking into why the cages took one week to get in. WE apologize for any inconvenience. We would be more than happy to send you a FREE cage for all your trouble. Please contact Cecilia or April on Tuesday as we are closed for the Columbus day holiday. We look forward to sending you a free Apogee reptarrium. The large pop-up Butterfly breeding cages are imported from China and we have several thousand in stock. Today we have them on sale!!!!!!
By the way, if one complaint goes unanswered, a company will receive an arbitrary F rating by the BBB. Our rating is now A with the BBB.

Wow! An inordinately long post to explain a mistake, doncha think? And also to defer responsibility to Cecilia for the company's actions:

".... Cecilia has been reprimanded and I personally do not think she will be with the company much longer."

I am reluctant to order from them just based on that info. Cecilia is probably better off in another job!!

Too much junk info as well. I could care less about phone numbers tied to titles and names of employees or management. Useless information for us here on the BF Forum in a weak attempt to defend your company. You only made it worse.

Shame on you!!!!

Susan

I more than agree with you Susan. This person only joined the forum to defend the company… with the same endless drivel and excuses, and to make sales pitches that have all been offered too many times. And this person has not made any posts to the forum to support the forum itself either. SPAM in its worst form, for financial gain.

It comes down to perception. Mine is that Educational Science has an F rating in my book and it always will. Not because of the mistakes on some orders, that happens in business and can be beyond their control. But because of the way it was addressed here by a management assitant. A company is only as good as the people who work for it, and all of this blatantly shows me that they have at least two people I never want to do business with. There are just too many other good sources out there to waste money and time with this company.

If for no other reason 'edusci' should be banned from Garden Web for the unauthorized advertising.

These are all my opinions only and are not necessarily shared by iVillage Garden Web.

Larry

If you go to Walmart.com you can order the Whitmore Collaspable Laundry Hamper for $8.54 and tax. I ordered 2 of these last year and used them this summer. They aren't as durable as the ones I got years ago from Lowes but at that price, I can replace them each year. If you have them sent to the store near you, you don't pay shipping. I think I paid about $10 each last year so they are cheaper. They are really big and you can easily set a 3 gallon plant in them with support of some kind on the bottom.