Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions.
Treasury
What is an aerarium?
An aerarium is a mesh container for the protected rearing of butterfly caterpillars. It is available in various sizes and designs.
Choose your aerarium large enough. The height of the host plants is the decisive factor. For up to 60 cm, aerarium size M is sufficient; for up to 90 cm, it is advantageous to choose size L.
Where does the term aerarium originate?
Vivarium (Latin: vivarium = container for living animals). A vivarium refers to an animal husbandry facility or a building for the rearing and care of small living animals. In ancient times, any form of animal park was called a vivarium.
Aquarium (Latin aquarius = pertaining to water). The aquarium is the most widespread type of vivarium. Aquariums are usually vessels made of glass or transparent plastic that are filled with water.
Terrarium (Latin terra = earth, land). The terrarium is a container or facility in which animals and plants are kept. Unlike aquariums, the land component or air space dominates. Terrariums are usually made of glass, plastic, or wood and are visible from at least one side.
Paludarium (Latin palus = swamp). A special form of aquaterrarium; it simulates a swamp area and is used in particular for keeping amphibians and water-loving reptiles.
Aerarium (fanciful term meaning air container). A mesh container that is air-permeable on all sides and more or less transparent. It is used for keeping small living creatures, primarily for rearing butterfly caterpillars. The mesh protects the animals from predators and parasites.
The name AERARIUM is a protected trademark of Aerarium Nets (Schweiz) GmbH.
Interesting: Two thousand years ago, the Roman state treasury was called the Aerarium (Latin aerarium = bronze). Its full name was Aerarium populi romani = treasury of the Roman people. The treasury was located in the Temple of Saturn on the Roman Forum and was therefore also called Aerarium Saturni. But that is another story…
How long does an aerarium last?
Our aeraria normally last for several years without any problems. Unfortunately, the climate change of recent years has had a negative impact on the materials used. The UV content in natural sunlight is steadily increasing, which gradually destroys the individual molecules of the white polyamide mesh. This manifests as increasing brittleness of the material, particularly along the seams.
We recommend replacing aged nets with a new aerarium and disposing of the old one in your household waste – not least to prevent small fragments from ending up in the environment as microplastics and causing damage there. If you shade the new aerarium with a parasol or a UV-impermeable cloth, you will be helping both the caterpillars and the aerarium 😉
Repair, cleaning and maintenance
How is an aerarium cleaned?
Our aeraries can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle at 30°C.
We recommend using a simple detergent without bleach, optical brighteners, etc. Please note that aeraria should only be washed in the washing machine when folded and inside a pillowcase (or similar) to prevent them from chafing against the inside of the machine.
Hand washing is much gentler: you can soak the aerarium in a basin with a Javelle solution and clean it gently with a soft brush. The recommended dilution with water is 1:5 to 1:10, depending on how dirty the aerarium is.
It is important to rinse the aerarium very thoroughly afterwards so that no chemicals remain. Also, let it dry well and for a long time so that the steel ring inside is not damaged.
How can an aerarium be patched?
Our aeraria can usually be repaired using simple means.
Smaller holes and slits can be covered with standard adhesive tape. To prepare, cut two pieces of tape of the exact same size, which are about 2 cm longer than the damaged area. Then, stick the first piece of tape onto the mesh from the inside of the aerarium so that the damaged area is completely covered. Use the second piece of tape to cover the damaged area from the outside, ensuring that both pieces of tape are aligned perfectly with each other. This ensures that no sticky surface is left protruding at the edges, which could be dangerous for the inhabitants of the aerarium.
Larger damage is best repaired with a piece of mesh fabric, which you can sew onto the aerarium mesh.
For safety, check the aerarium regularly and pay particular attention to the patched areas. If the adhesive tape starts to loosen over time, you must replace it.
How is an aerarium folded back up?
After use, they can simply be folded flat again so that they take up very little space. While unpacking and unfolding is very easy, folding them back up requires a bit of practice… Do not use too much force under any circumstances!
Eggs and caterpillars
Does Aerarium.ch also sell caterpillars?
No, we do not sell butterfly eggs or caterpillars of any kind.
For us, it is important that the process begins with planting and caring for suitable host plants in your own garden. Female butterflies can smell these host plants from a great distance and will visit to lay their eggs. The hatched caterpillars can be raised safely in a butterfly habitat. The caterpillars will pupate and undergo metamorphosis. We then let the hatched butterflies fly free.
Aerarium.ch Webshop
How does manual payment (bank transfer) work?
After completing your purchase, you will receive a confirmation email that serves as your invoice. For ecological and organizational reasons, we do not send traditional paper invoices with payment slips and QR codes.
Please transfer the total amount (including VAT) within 10 days via bank transfer, stating the order number in the payment reference field - thank you!
Account IBAN (Raiffeisenbank Bern):
CH33 8080 8007 9429 2987 0
Beneficiary:
Aerarium Nets (Schweiz) GmbH
3015 Bern
Note: It is not possible to change the payment method after the fact.
Can I return an item?
Of course. Please be sure to contact Aerarium.ch in advance by email (info@aerarium-nets.ch) or by phone (+41 79 719 13 04) so that we can briefly discuss the procedure.
How fast is delivery?
Unless otherwise stated in the product description, all offered items are in stock and ready for shipment. The delivery process usually begins within one working day and is carried out by the TRANSfair Foundation, Im Schoren 23, CH-3645 Gwatt.
Picking up the goods directly from the warehouse is only possible in exceptional cases and by prior arrangement.
Shipping within Switzerland is carried out via A-Post (PRIORITY) by Swiss Post and is restricted exclusively to addresses with a Swiss postal code.
What are the delivery costs?
Delivery is a flat rate of CHF 9.50 - for purchases of CHF 50.00 or more, the delivery fee is waived and your items will be delivered free of charge.
Does Aerarium.ch also ship internationally?
Our webshop is currently aimed at customers in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. We only ship abroad in exceptional cases.
Please consider our international resellers. They deliver quickly, cost-effectively, and directly from the EU.
Further information can be found on the info page.
Kickbag
What is a kickbag?
The Kickbag is the clever packaging solution for e-commerce. Because reusing is the simple and logical path to greater sustainability.
Aerarium.ch uses the Kickbag for all suitable shipments to conserve resources. You can find details directly at kickbag.ch - thank you for returning the empty shipping bag promptly!
Where should I send the kickbag back to?
To return the Kickbag to Aerarium.ch, please use the official label that was included with the delivery note.
You can also download the return label as a PDF file.
If you do not have an A6 label on hand, you can also print the return label onto normal paper, cut it out, and attach it to the Kickbag with adhesive tape.