What is your favorite aspirator for collecting ants and other insects?  I'm going to buy one and I'm looking for recommendations.  Thanks.

The standard Bioquip offering is as good as any out there unless you have the good fortune to find one of the ones made by Rose engineering. Regardless of what variety you end up getting make sure you add a decent filter to it. The rose style is still available thru Bioquip, http://roseentomolog...sect-aspirator/

They are pricey but worth it in my opinion.

Something along these lines for the filter

I bought the filters from one of the local auto parts stores for a couple of dollars.

Edited by gcsnelling, April 25 2020 - 11:11 AM.

I made my own from a random glass jar I had laying around, some vinyl tubing, and I just cover the end I inhale through with a cotton medical cloth.

I made an aspirator that worked quite well and published a thread about it, but I did end up swallowing a few Tapinoma sessile...

Bioquip is great and easily customizable.

The standard Bioquip offering is as good as any out there unless you have the good fortune to find one of the ones made by Rose engineering. Regardless of what variety you end up getting make sure you add a decent filter to it. The rose style is still available thru Bioquip, http://roseentomolog...sect-aspirator/

They are pricey but worth it in my opinion.

 

Something along these lines for the filter

For 1971-1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle Fuel Filter Bosch 73152ZJ 1972 1973

I bought the filters from one of the local auto parts stores for a couple of dollars.

Like this filter?   https://www.partsgee...er#immersedview

That would do it.

The standard Bioquip offering is as good as any out there unless you have the good fortune to find one of the ones made by Rose engineering. Regardless of what variety you end up getting make sure you add a decent filter to it. The rose style is still available thru Bioquip, http://roseentomolog...sect-aspirator/

They are pricey but worth it in my opinion.

 

Something along these lines for the filter

For 1971-1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle Fuel Filter Bosch 73152ZJ 1972 1973

I bought the filters from one of the local auto parts stores for a couple of dollars.

Gordon, I think I will order me one of those, I checked them out, real sexy!!

I just purchased this one from Amazon.  https://www.amazon.c...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

i'll let you guys know how i like it after i use it.  I also bought some glass collection vials too.

Just remember a filter is going to be vital. Glass vials are nice but they break, almost always when you have that one special critter.

Just remember a filter is going to be vital. Glass vials are nice but they break, almost always when you have that one special critter.

Sounds like you've been through a lot of pain with glass vials.

 

Just remember a filter is going to be vital. Glass vials are nice but they break, almost always when you have that one special critter.

Sounds like you've been through a lot of pain with glass vials.

 

I've honestly never had one break.  

I've had one crack, easy enough to fix. Rubber bands + silicone.

LOL,  the day will come if you use glass long enough. They are esp bad if one breaks in your pocket and you reach in for it not knowing it is in pieces. Ouch. However there is a solution to that problem.If your wrap the vial with a  layer of tape in the event of breakage the piece remain together and are less likely to become evil shards waiting to impale you.

LOL,  the day will come if you use glass long enough. They are esp bad if one breaks in your pocket and you reach in for it not knowing it is in pieces. Ouch. However there is a solution to that problem.If your wrap the vial with a  layer of tape in the event of breakage the piece remain together and are less likely to become evil shards waiting to impale you.

Mmm, I've heard of that strategy. Never tried it personally.

It may be the kind of vials you are using.  I've been using glass vials to contain insects for at leats 10 years, and have dropped them on the ground (like on the sidealk) while standing up and have never had one break.

It may be the kind of vials you are using.  I've been using glass vials to contain insects for at leats 10 years, and have dropped them on the ground (like on the sidealk) while standing up and have never had one break.

Be patient it will happen.

 

LOL,  the day will come if you use glass long enough. They are esp bad if one breaks in your pocket and you reach in for it not knowing it is in pieces. Ouch. However there is a solution to that problem.If your wrap the vial with a  layer of tape in the event of breakage the piece remain together and are less likely to become evil shards waiting to impale you.

Mmm, I've heard of that strategy. Never tried it personally.

 

Works great but it is kind of ugly.

 

The standard Bioquip offering is as good as any out there unless you have the good fortune to find one of the ones made by Rose engineering. Regardless of what variety you end up getting make sure you add a decent filter to it. The rose style is still available thru Bioquip, http://roseentomolog...sect-aspirator/

They are pricey but worth it in my opinion.

 

Something along these lines for the filter

For 1971-1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle Fuel Filter Bosch 73152ZJ 1972 1973

I bought the filters from one of the local auto parts stores for a couple of dollars.

Gordon, I think I will order me one of those, I checked them out, real sexy!!

 

If you are talking about the rose, you will like it. My only real complaint is that the brass intake tube is longer than it needs to be. The 9 dram vial size seems to be the best size, any larger is just too clumsy. I think this might be the best choice.