Happy Thursday Everyone

This week Matt was able to buy my first batch of crickets for my first natural pesticide experiment using diatomaceous earth suspended in water. Luckily I had a friend with me who helped put 10 crickets in each of the 9 containers. I didn't think I would be squeamish around a bunch of crickets but turns out I freak out at insects that JUMP!! It took about 30 min just to get them in their habitat because I had to make sure I counted 10 crickets in each one. There are 3 control groups, 3 direct application groups, and 3 indirect application groups. After I had them properly dispersed I recorded the population after 1 hr, then again at 24hr. I noticed a decrease in population after a 24 hr period but not sure if it was from the pesticide or if crickets are cannibalistic. I think I will wait until 72 hr (tomorrow) to make an more legitimate assumption. Until then here are some pictures -

Peace, 

Jenni

AWW SHUCKS!

Happy Thursday Everyone!

So I have still not been able to start my pesticide project. Apparently crickets are pricey..who knew. Matt and I deciced to purchase crickets in bundles and not all at once to avoid any possible waste, like death, before I get a chance to use them on my experiment. We plan to buy first batch of crickets next Tuesday and I can start my first Natural Pesticide Test using Diatomaceous Earth. In the mean time I have been researching natural disinfectants to possibly research and experiment with... Until next time

Peace,

Jenni

P.S. 

This is my BIG PROJECT... coming to life:)

DEAD CRICKETS....

Happy Thursday Everyone :)

I am so excited to finally start my first project this semester! I am making my own pesticides and testing the effectiveness on crickets. Matt has been so helpful at getting the materials I need and giving me different ways to approach the research aspect. Thanks Matt! So far I have set up all the habitats I plan to use : I am using 3 control groups, 3 indirect application groups, and 3 direct application groups. Each group will contain 20 crickets. The goal is to apply my pesticide (one at a time) to both test groups and record the population at hourly increments up to a 48hr period. Theoretically my results should yield a decrease in population no matter which pesticide I use that I will have prepared. Unfortunately I still needed 2 items to start this project - Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) and more importantly CRICKETS! Matt ordered crickets through amazon and not only were they nearly microscopic but they were all DEAD ON ARRIVAL! I did not have any crickets to test :( Needless to say I'm more eager than ever to get this project rolling.. I cant wait to hear what the rest of you are doing. Here is what each habitat looks like: each has a small cube of sponge (water source), egg cartons (crickets like to hide), and each will contain a small amount of food.

  Peace

Jenni