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Ant Vaccum

vaccum

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8 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Lazarus - Posted April 4 2018 - 4:29 AM

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Here is an ant vacuum I built today. I got three acrylic screw jars for $1.25. By having all the tubing going through the lid, I can catch something and then just swap jars and hunt again. There is a wire mesh at the end of the suction tube so you don't swallow ants but I will add some gauze for additional filtering. I used a bottle cap with a tight fitting hole to both hold the mesh and provide a backstop to help keep the suction tube inserted. But even without that the holes in the lid are nice and tight so the tubes entering are solidly held in place.

 

I really have no idea what to expect when I actually go out to look for established or foundling colonies, but I figure it's something to do waiting between nuptial flights. I figure that as I overturn rocks and logs or check under loose bark, I will see if I spot a queen first and then attempt to capture her before going after brood and workers.

 

Ant vaccum

 

 


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My online ant spreadsheet


#2 Offline IcarusSkybound - Posted April 12 2018 - 12:48 PM

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Looks nice! Any interesting in a DIY video? 


Founding: 

Camponotus Pennsylvanicus x4

Camponotus Chromaiodes x4

Camponotus Nearcticus x9

Camponotus Snellingi x1

Tapinoma Sessile x1


#3 Offline gcsnelling - Posted April 12 2018 - 2:46 PM

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I would strongly suggest a better filter, I used to use a VW fuel filter, Bioquip sells a nice hepa type filter which is not a bad idea.


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#4 Offline Lazarus - Posted April 12 2018 - 6:31 PM

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Looks nice! Any interesting in a DIY video? 

 

Wasn't planning on making any videos. I figure even with two hands it's going to be awkward moving things (rocks, logs, etc) and also holding a nozzle ready while keeping the canister out of the way. I will however report failure/success when I get to use it.

 

 

I would strongly suggest a better filter, I used to use a VW fuel filter, Bioquip sells a nice hepa type filter which is not a bad idea.

 

Out of curiosity, what aspect of the filtering do you think is inadequate? Fumes from acid spewing ants? Or just bits of debris? I figure with metal mesh for 'large' items and layers of gauze for particulates I would be fine.


My online ant spreadsheet


#5 Offline VoidElecent - Posted April 12 2018 - 6:38 PM

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Looks nice! Any interesting in a DIY video? 

 

http://www.formicult...or-photo-guide/



#6 Offline antnest8 - Posted April 13 2018 - 5:29 PM

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maybe some steel cotton could do


have 1 camponotus queen

1 crematogaster queen

5 lasius umbratus queens


#7 Offline IcarusSkybound - Posted April 15 2018 - 4:37 AM

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Looks nice! Any interesting in a DIY video? 

 

http://www.formicult...or-photo-guide/

 

Thanks a bunch


Founding: 

Camponotus Pennsylvanicus x4

Camponotus Chromaiodes x4

Camponotus Nearcticus x9

Camponotus Snellingi x1

Tapinoma Sessile x1


#8 Offline Jerky93 - Posted April 16 2018 - 8:31 AM

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Looks nice! Any interesting in a DIY video? 

 

Wasn't planning on making any videos. I figure even with two hands it's going to be awkward moving things (rocks, logs, etc) and also holding a nozzle ready while keeping the canister out of the way. I will however report failure/success when I get to use it.

 

 

I would strongly suggest a better filter, I used to use a VW fuel filter, Bioquip sells a nice hepa type filter which is not a bad idea.

 

Out of curiosity, what aspect of the filtering do you think is inadequate? Fumes from acid spewing ants? Or just bits of debris? I figure with metal mesh for 'large' items and layers of gauze for particulates I would be fine.

 

 

I think he is recommending a HEPA filter because youre ~literally~ going to be inhalting particulates from the ground. I would want to filter that as much as possible as MANY bacteria live in the dirt


Edited by Jerky93, April 16 2018 - 8:31 AM.

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#9 Offline gcsnelling - Posted April 16 2018 - 2:39 PM

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There are many small particulates in the soil which you really do not want making it to your lungs. Fungal spores esp can be bad to inhale.


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