Basket Strainer at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

More permanent installations require their own housings and these types are characterised by the basket strainer. Here, a suitably strengthened wire mesh or perforated plate shaped into a basket is placed inside a sealed housing through which the feed stream flows under pressure. In simplex systems the flow continues until the strainer is clogged with the unwanted solids. At this point the flow is interrupted and the basket is manually changed.

Doodlebugs are extremely easy to capture and equally easy to maintain in captivity. Use an old tea strainer or piece of screen wire, a spoon, and an old box or can. After locating a pit, with a quick motion of the spoon dip up the entire pit or crater. Drop pit in strainer and gently shake until sand or dust is sifted through. Dusty-colored, chunky doodlebug will be left in the strainer.

Box may be used, but basket is better because pet sleeps curled up. For young pet, half fill basket with soft, warm cloths and dry, soft hay or grass. For adult, use dry grass or hay only. Change bedding once weekly.