Today I am going to throw some tips on how to DIY a Nest
Checking Mirror. I have seen peoples using those ready made ones which they
bought from the Shops..... but often ended up complaining. Though it is hassle free
to buy one from Shop (ready made)....but don't forget it is not cheap and worse
of all it doesn't serve what it's for.
There are lots of things we could DIY for our Swiftlet
farmings. Why want to waste money when you could DIY a better one?..Yes better
than those that you had used before! It could turn and rotate 360 degrees which
ever angle you want. Up or down...left or right..back and forth.
Those ready made ones .....the small pole that holds the
mirror is fixed. It is welded onto the plate that holds the mirror which means
it cannot be turned or rotated to your preferred angle thus the image reflected
on the mirror cannot be seen. Therefore, it defeats the purpose of the Nest
Checking Mirror.
I have been using this DIY Nest Checking Mirror many years.
It lasts a long time, simple to make and doesn't burn a hole in your
pockets. All you need are :
1) Metal Strap 2) Small piece of wood 3) Small mirror 4)
Some screws 5) Alradite epoxy
( Picture from Farm using 3rd Generation Love Potion. Crystal White nest as a result of using Love Potion)
Metal Strap is available at all Hardware shops. Get the
stiff type, as they hold the wood and mirror better. Lenght...cut 10".
You need a piece of wood of 2x3" or slightly bigger.
Recommended thickness not more than 1 cm. If the wood is too thick it would be hard
to slide between the nests and the ceiling
especially for nests that are built very close to the ceiling.
Small fancy mirrors are available at Daiso, 100 yen, 2
Ringgit shop, etc. I guess I don't need to tell you where to find them. You may
ask your beloved wife for that. Choose those that fit the size of the wood..
Preferable slightly smaller than the size of the wood.
Most fancy small mirrors are attached to plastic frames..
remove the plastic frames. Clean both sides and make sure they are free from
dust. Stick them with Alradite epoxy. I use Alradite because once cured there
are flexible unlike other types of epoxy. Best cured over night.
Once cured screw the Metal strap to the wood like the above
picture. Use small short screw so that it won't damage the mirror.
The other end of the Metal Strap is screwed to the pole or
like the above picture where I attached
it to an old paint roller handle.
To reinforce .... A nylon string is tied, and epoxy is
applied to the string.
The advantage of using an old paint roller handle is... it
can be removed easily and attached to any shorter or longer painting pole....it
can be removed and kept in cars.
You would find this DIY Nest Checking Mirror better than
those that you had used before. The mirror can rotate 360 degrees ..left or right..just turn or twist the metal
strap... any angle and position you want.
( White and good size nest from Love Potion Farm)
Good Swiftlet Farming All!
