Wire mesh is available in many different materials, grades, and sizes. All else equal the material is going to dictate relative price. Among the fine mesh sizes suitable for this application plain carbon steel and 304 stainless wire are most economical followed by brass, other copper alloys, and other nickel alloys. The most common grades are mill, market, and bolting grade. The standard for each grade dictates which wire diameter and mesh count combinations are available for that grade. These combinations give a verity of % of open area for air flow and mesh aperture sizes. These are the characteristics along with cost that I am looking to optimize for everyone's benefit.
So please , EVERYONE share your experiences, good or bad, regarding mesh size e.g. "I tried window screen, 14x18 mesh, and my oriental babies walked right through." or "I use 50 mesh mill grade and even springtails can't get through"
So far I have found 304 stainless bolting grade to be most economical now I need some collaboration to determine what the maximum opening size is to contain even the smallest roach nymphs. I found a 30x30 mesh with a .027" opening size and 65% open area. Of course I could get 100, 200, etc, mesh but that would be overkill, air flow would be reduced, and cost goes up.
So is .027" a small enough opening to contain small nymph species?
Will something a little bigger, .041", still do the job?
Is .027" too big, need to go smaller?
Thanks for the feedback