Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Feeding Monarch/Queen Caterpillars, 1 by Sheila_FW

Sheila_FW wrote:
Sorry Lily that the experience wasn't a good one. I have had dissapointments too; but it makes you more determined to have sucess. I still remember some of my mistakes, and unexplained losses.
I blamed myself at the time, but in hind site they would not have made it in the wild either. Don't give up.
My changes along the way..........
**Bringing the cats in as early as possible - saves some parasite attacks
**Using small cages, wash and clean frass out daily - eliminates viral problems
**Make sure the cage covering material is smaller weave than tule - Some parasites are extremely tiny and can get through screens.
**Clip and wash foilage to be fed to cats - Helps remove parasite eggs, and pesticide residue that could be on leaves and in soil.
**Don't put cages in direct sun or room with cold a/c - they are sensitive to temp.
**Wash your hands before and in between cages - Avoids spreading viral infection.

Above is just a few of my changes that have improved my survival rate. I still lose a few but continue to learn. Some may disagree with my suggestions and reasons for them, but I figure any precaution may help.