If you want a low-maintenance pet, you don't have to go to the store.You can keep bugs in your own terrarium.A small container with sand and soil is all you need to build a terrarium.You can catch bugs you want to keep.Provide food, water, and cleaning to maintain your terrarium.Without much work, you will have a home with a lot of unique animals.
Step 1: The container should be glass or plastic.
Pet supply stores sell plastic bug containers.They come with a handle and air holes for easy transportation.You can use glass objects such as an aquarium or a fish bowl.You don't need to drill or hammer air holes into solid lids if you swap them out for mesh nets.cardboard boxes should be avoided.They will fall apart over time.The container should be at least twice as big as the insect's body width and three times as large as its height.Small insects can fit into a container.The space per insect should be doubled.If your insects have room to run and hide, they will be happy.
Step 2: The container should be covered with sand or gravel.
A thin layer of either substance helps remove water from the soil.The soil won't rot or get too damp if you include plants in your terrarium.There are bags of sand or pebbles near the reptile and fish sections of the store.You can cover this layer with activated charcoal.There is charcoal at pet supply stores.It reduces the smell of plants.
Step 3: The terrarium should be filled with dirt.
It will be fun to watch your bugs explore, so make the dirt deep enough to hide.Add between two and four inches of soil.Use soil from outside to clean your hands.Before digging up a garden bed, ask your parent's permission.The outdoor soil is familiar to bugs.Chemicals in the soil may harm some animals.
Step 4: Weeds can be planted in the soil.
An easy way to get plants is to dig up weeds.Parents will be happy to see weeds gone.Take them out of the soil.Remove the roots and leaves.Make a hole and put the plant in it.A couple of weeds or a small plant is usually enough greenery.Most of the space should be left open so that you can see the bugs.Plants that are green and healthy serve as the best food.Some bugs, such as walking sticks, only eat fresh leaves.
Step 5: You can decorate with sticks and hiding spots.
Bugs like hiding.There are places bugs like to hide.Small branches, rocks, or pieces of bark form perfect bug homes.When the terrarium is filled with decorations, you have too much.Most of the space should be left open so that bugs can climb and hide.
Step 6: It's a good idea to catch some animals for your terrarium.
Have fun looking for bugs in your yard.Under branches, rocks, and flower pots are some of the places they'll be in.You can find bugs buried in a hole.Anything you catch can be put in your terrarium.Make sure your bugs have enough room to move around.Mealworms and crickets are the most common starter bugs.You will also find other bugs, such as roly polys.Sometimes you will find animals like snails.It is a good idea to be aware of poisonous or biting insects.It's best to avoid spiders, centipedes, fire ants, and carpenter ants.Crickets and snails are animals that move a lot.
Step 7: Fruit and vegetables are a must for the new residents.
The terrarium should be stocked with food.You can add slices of fruits and vegetables around the house.A vegetable that many bugs and snails like is carrots.They are happy and healthy because of the food.Plants and worms eat the soil.Banana peels and eggshells can be composted to keep the soil full.Fish from the pet store will be popular with the bugs.
Step 8: The terrarium should be kept covered.
There are bugs that can escape from an uncovered terrarium.snails can push their way out of loose covering.Make sure the container is tight.If that's the case, cover the opening with a mesh net.Attach it to the container with a rubber band.A lid can be used on a jar.To make small holes, use a drill or hammer.The holes should be scattered around.You can make a few of them.There should be air holes at the top of the container.There are bugs that need to breathe.
Step 9: The soil needs to be damp.
The bugs will appreciate a damp environment, so you don't need a bowl of water.The terrarium needs to be checked every day.To mist it, use a spray bottle.The soil should be kept moist so that the bugs can dig in it.A cotton ball or a paper towel can be used for extra humidity.You can get a hygrometer from the pet store.The humidity in the terrarium will be indicated by this.The humidity needs to be kept above 75%.
Step 10: The terrarium can be kept in a safe location.
Your bugs will not need extra heat or sunlight.Your bug's home can be knocked over by a younger sibling or paws of a pet.It's best to keep it high on a flat surface.
Step 11: Remove food that is not eaten.
You don't want decaying fruits and vegetables around.If you see that they're going bad, throw them away.They can be replaced with small portions of fresh food.
Step 12: The soil should be replaced every week.
It is best to replace the soil once a week.Look for droppings or signs of mold.Those are signs that it's time to change the environment.There are yellowed plants and hiding spots that need to be swapped out.You should catch the bugs before cleaning.Put them in a sealed container with air holes and scoop them up.Large bugs and arthropods will need to be cleaned weekly.If you only have a few small bugs, you may be able to leave the terrarium alone for a longer period of time.