bleaching monarch containers

[Jeans]

hi
I wanted to reuse my monarch containers so I soaked them in 10% bleach, I rinced them but I don't know how to know if I have rinced them enough so it won't hurt the caturpillars, or would the bleach just sort of dissolve by next spring?... Im not sure
thanks

[skates4marty]

I think I have heard that sunlight takes care of any bleach residue, so I always dry my cages in the sun.

[texas butterfly]

Also, time helps fade the bleach. So, if you have several months before using, put in the sun for little bit to dry and then having it sit for sometime before use also helps.

Rinse again just before reuse next spring.

[Paul Cherubini]

The commercial monarch breeders I know reuse bleached containers as soon as they have been rinsed and dried. But 10% bleach solution sounds kind of strong and I don't know if they use it that strong. You could join butterfliesmoths@googlegroups.com and ask what strength bleach should be used. There are lots of commercial breeders on butterfliesmoths@googlegroups.com

[texas butterfly]

I thought that I read or someone told me 20% bleach solution was necessary to kill OE spores.

t. butterfly

[Mona Miller]

You are right:

http://www.monarchparasites.org
Click on Rearing Monarchs

Tip # 1: Sterilize all materials that contacted larval and adult monarchs, including rearing containers, flight cages, and countertops, with 20% bleach solution. Soak plastic ware and fabric for a minimum of 4 hrs in a basin filled with bleach solution, and allow to soak overnight if possible. Bleach surfaces that contacted monarchs several times daily.