- Pour hot water into the bottle or dip into very hot water. The glue melts and the plastic bottom twists off. Remove the label. Save the lid.
- Trace pattern 3 and cut out of the black bottom. Repeat on the opposite side of the cut out piece. You can weigh the base down with stones or fill with the plaster of paris.
- Trace pattern 1 with a water base marker. Cut out on the top side of the bottle as shown. Start the hole with a utility knife(or razor blade) and cut with strong scissors.Optional: On the bottom side, punch 3-4 holes in the center for drainage if you are going to use soil in the container.
- Use an extra second bottle to make two doors(you will need only one). Trace pattern 2 using water based marker. Start the hole with a utility knife(or razor blade) and cut with strong scissors. Punch several holes on the door from the top down or use a hole punch.
- Assemble the hinge using fiber tape. Attach a piece of tape to the non-hinge side for a handle.
- Place the lid on the bottle. A thin strip of vaseline smeared inside of the hole can prevent wanderers from escaping.
- Optional: Secure the base to the bottle with hot glue. Be careful since the glue can melt the bottle.
Patterns for making an Arthropod Container
Adapted from Wisconsin Bottle Biology Project. For additional information write: Bottle Biology Program, c/o Wisconsin Fast Plants, University of Wisconsin, Dept. of Plant Pathology, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706.
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