9 replies to this topic

[Devi]

Hey guys,

I want to be totally ready for next anting season because there are so many things I did horribly this season and would love to do better.  A lot of times, I wish I had some extra equipment that could've helped...  

 

1.  I am so tired of my crappy phone camera that will never focus on queens I need to ID.  Macro Lens'.  I've heard a lot about them, but have never got one, nor found 1 that is reasonably cheap.  What are your guys' experience with these, and would you recommend I get one?  If so, what brand/make would you recommend?  (Something reasonably cheap, I'm ballin' on a budget here.)  

 

2.  I would like to have a black light so maybe after a rain-storm I can leave it outside for an hour or so.  I like to just hang out on my back porch, so it'd be fun for me to just be out there and monitor it...  I found on on Amazon that is like a flash-light thing, and I would prefer that over the bulb.  it's cheaper, and easier to operate just because it doesn't need to plug into an outlet, and can use batteries.  If that doesn't work, I can do a bulb too, but it's worth looking into.  

 

3.  What would you guys recommend?  I am always open to expanding my ant equipment collection, and would love to hear your guy's recommendations?  What is something that you guys can't go anting without?

 

Thanks!

Devi

[ANTdrew]

1) Definitely get a clip on macro lens for your phone.
2) The blacklight flashlights aren’t strong enough to attract much. I recommend one of these bulbs screwed into a regular lamp: https://www.amazon.c...ob_b_asin_title
3) Definitely get an aspirator or make your own with Madbiologist’s tutorial.

[Devi]

1) Definitely get a clip on macro lens for your phone.
2) The blacklight flashlights aren’t strong enough to attract much. I recommend one of these bulbs screwed into a regular lamp: https://www.amazon.c...ob_b_asin_title
3) Definitely get an aspirator or make your own with Madbiologist’s tutorial.

 

Thank you so much for your advice!  Where might I find MadBiologist's tutorial?

[DDD101DDD]

1. Yeah they're pretty useful. Bear in mind that they focus at a few cm(or less) away from the target. I bought this one https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I'm willing to bet there are better ones out there though so don't buy it. Also it's unavailable. Here are some pictures I took with it below.

2. I've never used a blacklight so I don't know.

3. Digital microscopes are pretty fun, but not really necessary. Useful if you want to identify stuff though. The quality of the picture isn't exactly good though, and they can't really be used outside. This is the one I use. https://www.amazon.c...6494391&sr=8-6 Here's a picture of a dead Myrmica queen's head.

[DDD101DDD]

 

1) Definitely get a clip on macro lens for your phone.
2) The blacklight flashlights aren’t strong enough to attract much. I recommend one of these bulbs screwed into a regular lamp: https://www.amazon.c...ob_b_asin_title
3) Definitely get an aspirator or make your own with Madbiologist’s tutorial.

 

Thank you so much for your advice!  Where might I find MadBiologist's tutorial?

 

https://www.formicul...spirator-guide/

[AleeGuy]

https://www.reddit.c...iki/photographythis guide will help you get a really high/excellent quality pics using a phone camera.

[Devi]

Awesome, thanks so much everyone!

[Ants_Dakota]

yes, the cheap black light does not work, i have it. not close to powerful enough. 

[M_Ants]

What you need is a mercury vapor light. I got one at thrift store and it's blinding. 

[NickAnter]

I use a cheap UV floodlight. Not super powerful, but the light spreads quite far. I can catch quite a lot of stuff with it.