Vaseline/oils as climb-preventative

[Maurelius]

So I recently started using some type of vaseline oil (do not have the specific name handy) but was wondering if anyone else has tried this and had negative results.

I put a roughly one-half inch strip of the vaseline around the top of the container with my G. rosea. Sure enough, when it's tried to climb up to it, it's slid back down. Fortunately the height isn't enough to cause damage should it fall, but it's doing its job of preventing the escapee.

Any thoughts?

-eMGe

 

[Zebo777]

Does the Vaseline stay on the spider? How tall are your enclosures? Is it easier then adding substrate? also Vaseline is hard to remove from glass did the t leave little skid marks?

 

[whitewolf]

I worry about them getting it in book lungs so I wouldn't do that just raise the substrate.

Yes with the roaches I use a 3+" tall strip for them and if it gets dirty they are up and out.

 

[WARPIG]

Book lungs clog, you will have a T that won't do much of anything but rot.

PIG-

 

[Maurelius]

It doesn't seem that the T could get high enough to where the lungs might even be taken into question. It's gotten 2 legs up at best.

Also, I'm unsure as to how long it stays on the "toes" of the leg. I'd think that as it walks around it would "rub" off onto the substrate.

 

[Zebo777]

Vasiline is pretty nasty stuff the t's tend to rub thier legs to clean them and could potentially get in a booklung or more likely be digested with a prey item from dirty palps or fangs and god only knows what affect a petroleum product like that could have

 

[WARPIG]

It doesn't seem that the T could get high enough to where the lungs might even be taken into question. It's gotten 2 legs up at best.

Also, I'm unsure as to how long it stays on the "toes" of the leg. I'd think that as it walks around it would "rub" off onto the substrate.

What about when it cleans its legs??? How will that affect its mouth and digestive tract???

PIG-

 

[Satellite Rob]

I wouldn't consider evan trying it.Who knows what it could do to the feet of
your T's.But I know what it could suffocate your T.Even if the slightest film
would cover the book lungs.Never mess with your T"s lungs.

 

[ZergFront]

I have not used vaseline, but years ago when I had wolf spiders (before my mom tossed them all) I put a very thin amount of canola oil around the rim to keep them from getting out of the capture containers before putting them into containers they couldn't climb. With some sac spiders, I've put a little perfume just around the edge of the cage and they HATED the smell. I cannot prove if it had ill effects or not as I've had the spiders for quite a while before my mom found out I had them or they went into death curls.

Since I've had to buy my tarantulas and love them, I wouldn't take the risk of the oils being bad for their "diet" if they accidentally ingested it. It would take some long-term research to tell if it has any ill effects. I hope whoever tries this reports everything.

 

[Zebo777]

I don't think it's a good idea don't understand what ur worried about. Do you not trust the top of the enclosure?

 

[Maurelius]

I don't trust the lid as I've had one escape from a container akin to it. Any other suggestions then for ways to help prevent, more safely, the T from escaping? I don't want to have to tape/cover part of the ventilation.

 

[Zebo777]

They don't need a ton of ventilation especially if you have a nice size enclosure and you open it to feed him. They do need to breathe and they can't if booklungs are blocked. I'd go with the tape or put a book of something heavy on top

 

[Zebo777]

Maybe if you described the enclosure a little more it might help people give you tips on securing it

 

[Maurelius]

It's a "Kritter Keeper." Removable lid with ventilation slits in it, small open flap-style clear plastic window in center of lid.

 

[Zebo777]

I don't use them personally but I know I have heard slot of people saying they did and recommending them without mentioning any need of upgrades. You can def get away with some tape if you feel you need it those things have slot of ventilation to spare

 

[Zebo777]

How did the other one escape? Sure you closed everything up after feeding?

 

[Maurelius]

Fair enough. I personally don't like them although I don't know why. Tomorrow I'm gonna stop by some craft stores and check out some of the other items I could use as a container. I like what other people have done.

Plus, my T is really small. Baby G. rosea, no more than an inch and a quarter.

 

[Zebo777]

I keep mine that size in 16 oz solo cups with a few holes. It helps them find their food easier and actually has excellent viewing.

 

[Maurelius]

I have some starbucks cups, but I don't like a cup compared to a container. It's still small enough to stay in the cup I'm sure, but as I'm somewhat new to the hobby, I gave it more space to... do nothing in...

 

[Ether Imp]

What about a small (2 inch?) strip of aluminum foil taped all the way around the inside edge of the enclosure?

Can T's grip aluminum foil and are there any possible side effects from it? (note: Assuming you maintain it and make sure it doesn't break up and fall apart into the cage).

My landlord used a "boarder" of aluminum foil around the inside of my front doorway, because bats like to fly up in there, perch on the wall texture and crap all over the doorway. Their feet can't grip the aluminum foil.