Ideas for getting humidity higher? (UPDATE-jackpot)

[RD Martin]

Of course it will help. If you have an air tight freezer just make sue they don't suffocate

[bulldog4949]

I have 2 vents on each side.  I made one the outtake and vented it outside.  It has one of those vents that open with air flow, so I didn't think it would let much in....and the other side is open to get fresh air from the shop.  I usually run a fan through the vent side...but have it turned off since it is not high humidity.

Will see what that does.  Thanks.

[Bugz 2 Bonz .com]

Try another hygrometer

[bulldog4949]

Ok...will do Shawn.  Thanks...didn't even think about that.

[Jeff.]

Covering up the inlet/outlet should work, there's no scientific way it couldn't (unless there's a variable like serious air leakage from a non-airtight enclosure). If something is creating heat within a closed environment where oxygen is present, you will get moisture.

Even the container of water method should work - the key is getting the enclosure warm enough to make that moisture airborn. Instead of putting a container of water, try putting wet newspaper or paper towels on the ground where the warm beetles are.

Lessen the amount of time that the fans are on and pushing air through.
(and definitely try a new hygrometer)

[bulldog4949]

Yea I think it might be stuck on 20%.  Lol

I tried the moist towel on the skull....it worked okay..but no change to the humidity.

The more I think about it...it seems broke. 

Thanks guys.

[bulldog4949]

Ok.......

Just came home and checked the antelope that was in there.  The bottom is clean as a whistle....but the top around the eye sockets...and a bit here and there are hard as a rock already.  There were bugs on there...but none were really eating as it was hard already.

I don't understand what the hell is happening. 

The one thing that is bothering me is maybe the ceramic heat bulb is too close to the bedding and drying the skull out too fast???  But I have had this set up for 9 months with no problems.  But with the low humidity I have never experienced this as I did not have this set up last hunting season.  So I think the humidity is still my problem.

Here are some pics....to show my heat bulb, thermostat...etc....







Do they make a small humidifier that will set on my ledge of the tank?  Is there a way to control it so I do NOT get too much humidity...as I cannot stand to lose my colony!!

Thanks to all that have helped......keep them coming.

[MattHCT]

RD Martin X2. I use cardboard over my vent to regulate. It works well. A wet fresh heads. I usually don't have to cover the vents.   

[Jeff.]

Since I have virtually the same freezer and setup, only not squeeky clean like that...I'll mention that my ceramic heater is up higher, above the little shelf holder ledge thingies (know what I'm talking about?) I have my thermostat dropped down to about where you have your tape, so that the heat drops lower before being shut off by the thermostat.

I honestly think you shouldn't worry until you get that new hygrometer. Even then, I'm running less than 40% humidity year round and have nothing but breeding and eating going on in my colony.

After being skinned, my heads sit under a screen for 24 hours or so, then go into the beetles - usually much wetter than the typical "beef jerky-like."

The poor man's humidity control is a mist nozzle on a garden hose once or twice a week.

[bulldog4949]

i have been misting once a day........with no luck.  getting a new hygrometer tonight.

[Jeff.]

i have been misting once a day........with no luck.  getting a new hygrometer tonight.

Damn, you can't catch a break with this thing.

[bulldog4949]

hello no!!!  Now you see what I am saying?  lol

[bulldog4949]

Ok.....bought another hygrometer...exact same reading.

I checked the vent that is vented outside and it has cold air pouring into the beetle box.  Which is dropping the humidity and making the heater run more..which is causing the meat to dry out.

Gonna change the placement of the heat bulb and cover that vent up tonight and see what that does. 

Will let you know.

[RD Martin]

Ok.....bought another hygrometer...exact same reading.

I checked the vent that is vented outside and it has cold air pouring into the beetle box.  Which is dropping the humidity and making the heater run more..which is causing the meat to dry out.

Gonna change the placement of the heat bulb and cover that vent up tonight and see what that does. 

Will let you know.

+1

[Jeff.]

Ok.....bought another hygrometer...exact same reading.

I checked the vent that is vented outside and it has cold air pouring into the beetle box.  Which is dropping the humidity and making the heater run more..which is causing the meat to dry out.

Gonna change the placement of the heat bulb and cover that vent up tonight and see what that does.  

Will let you know.

This the louvered dryer vent? Weird, now you've got me worried.

This is just pure curiosity talking here, but is your vent above or below the level of your freezer?
I have my aluminum dryer tube going upward before it vents out of my shed, and it's stretched about 4 feet between the freezer and wall.

I'm kind of curious if it is possibly creating a vacuum. Think of it like when you want to empty water from a fish tank and you use a siphon, typically it is MUCH easier for the siphon to work if the water travels downhill...could it be the same for air?

Forgive me if this sounds completely ridiculous.