52 replies to this topic

[Martialis]

Noob Question: May I have a link to the blacklights and fixtures you have bought?

 

They appear earlier in the thread.

[Alabama Anter]

Ok thanks

[Martialis]

What's a safe way to detach the wires from the high voltage "zapper?"

 

Edit: This thing looks like a promising ant trap: https://www.amazon.c...ords=bug zapper

Edited by Martialis, February 19 2017 - 2:36 PM.

[RhodyAnts]

How about something like this?
https://www.amazon.c...b_PYB6ybMVQC5K8

Just add bucket and funnel.

[Rick54]

Am I assuming correctly that this black light trap is used at night, so that in the morning one can sift through the bucket for the treasures?

[Rick54]

Now you've got me thinking. I have a pop-up canopy (10 x 10) find em at Sam's Club. Set that up, lay out a white sheet on the ground below it, and hang a 13.5 inch blacklight fluorescent fixture (purchased from Lowe's) with bulb from the inside center of the pop-up. Power it with my Honda 2000 generator and wait for the ants. Question is, how far above the white sheet do you place the light? I believe the pop-ups have three holes in each leg to adjust height. Putting the canopy all the way down probably puts the canopy somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 ft. off the ground. Do you need the light high or low above the white sheet?

 

Here are some bulbs,  http://shop-uv.black...iew=grid&srt=20

[dspdrew]

Now you've got me thinking. I have a pop-up canopy (10 x 10) find em at Sam's Club. Set that up, lay out a white sheet on the ground below it, and hang a 13.5 inch blacklight fluorescent fixture (purchased from Lowe's) with bulb from the inside center of the pop-up. Power it with my Honda 2000 generator and wait for the ants. Question is, how far above the white sheet do you place the light? I believe the pop-ups have three holes in each leg to adjust height. Putting the canopy all the way down probably puts the canopy somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 ft. off the ground. Do you need the light high or low above the white sheet?

 

Here are some bulbs,  http://shop-uv.black...iew=grid&srt=20

 

You can do it many different ways. The only important element is the light.

[kudofo]

What about this for the UV light. http://www.ebay.com/...5MAAOSwlY1ZGsvW

[ace2184]

Is this something you leave out overnight or check every couple hours? I'd be concerned with something get in their with the queen and killing her. Also bonus points to Drew, quite creative with your fabrication skills.

[AntsCalifornia]

What about this for the UV light. http://www.ebay.com/...5MAAOSwlY1ZGsvW

For that light, it might not do so well with a trap as you might need something brighter or a different shape like just a bulb. You might be able to work with it though, I wouldn't know, as I have never built a black light trap. It would however definitely be good for just hunting for queens at night, no trap. If you want that light though, I suggest getting a different brand. I got a Kobra for half the price, and it's the exact same thing, parts interchangeable and everything, all the same, but one says Kobra and is cheaper. There are lots of cheaper versions of the light. I'm not going to list them all, but if you do some research you can figure it out.

 

Edit: This was said when I was very new to anting. Flashlights won't do a good job of attracting queen ants, go with a bulb instead.

Edited by AntsCalifornia, April 25 2018 - 4:18 PM.

[AntsCalifornia]

So when you stick a blacklight in the back of a truck on a white sheet, the white sheet reflects the light, attracting more stuff, right? That's what I was told by someone at least. Does this mean that a blacklight trap is less effective at catching than a blacklight on a white sheet?

[VoidElecent]

There are alternatives to car batteries as power sources. I just bought this sucker; hopefully, it'll give me some flexibility with regard to hunting locations, so I won't be restricted to only areas with accessible outlets. It's also just a nice device to have around, with four USB ports and an LED flashlight.

Edited by VoidElecent, April 25 2018 - 5:01 PM.

[Major]

[Deleted]

Edited by The_NY_Major, June 30 2018 - 12:59 PM.