Several satisfactory types of boxes for housing insect specimens may be
bought from commercial supply companies. These are usually much better
than boxes of home construction, being more nearly dustproof and
pestproof. Homemade boxes, however, are quite practical for the
beginning collector, due to their ease of construction and extremely low
cost. Cigar boxes 2 inches deep or more make ideal insect boxes if a
layer of cork or balsa wood or two layers of soft, corrugated cardboard
are glued in the bottom. Other wooden or cardboard boxes may be provided
with such a bottom pinning surface and used for storing specimens. Boxes
of this type, however, afford the specimens no protection against pests,
and great care must be exercised in keeping the boxes fumigated.
Manufactured boxes, cabinets, and cases may be selected from catalogs
that various scientific supply firms send free upon application.