30 replies to this topic

[Tpro4]

there is a kids toy, that is pretty much like a vacuum gun to suck up bugs to observe in containers, if that's what you are looking for

[gcsnelling]

 I Really like the ones sold by Rose entomology, a bit pricey but way nice. You should always use some sort of filter on any aspirator. The filter price on his site is way too high, that is a vehicle fuel filter, Volkswagon size.

 

http://www.roseentomology.com/

Edited by gcsnelling, June 20 2016 - 4:53 PM.

[dspdrew]

I once looked into getting a filter for my home-made aspirator a while back, but the prices were all outrageous. If that guy's just using a fuel filter, then I'll just do that myself. Not sure if that is going to protect against the smallest particles though. I guess I could always just make my own using a filter from a respirator rated for vapors.

[EstuaryAnts]

Thanks guys I'm gonna make one tommorow

Edited by EstuaryAnts, June 20 2016 - 7:01 PM.

[gcsnelling]

The fuel filter generally works quite well. Once they get dirty they do tend to let smaller stuff through but while clean are pretty good at getting the small stuff to. The more expensive HEPA filters while nice block up pretty quickly and become almost impossible to use.

[Canadian anter]

You can use cotton on the "inhale" side as a filter. Formic acid and stray ants taste horrible(from personal experience).

[BrittonLS]

Drew, what kind of container do you use?

Also, what's the difference between a booger aspirator for babies and an insect aspirator?

You know, you could probably use one of those and cut the tip off so you had room for bigger ants. 

 

Personally I actually just use 13mm test tubes and scoop them up or placing it over them to climb up. I didn't have any trouble even getting Pogonomyrmex queens that way. 

[sgheaton]

I use a piece of paper. Let them walk on it and away they go into my containers! Sometimes a blade of grass is used to gently sweep them onto the paper. Though I've only found queens ON sidewalk so it might be a little more difficult in a more wild setting.

[Paulette]

My capturing equipment consists of ziploc bags. They are easy to carry - I keep one in my purse and stick some in my pocket whenever I go outside. I usually have no trouble getting ants into them. I just put down the open bag near the ant and use my other hand to corral the ant into the bag. I'm catching ants on sidewalks and other pavement usually. 

 

I made myself an aspirator, and I can see how this would work better if you need to get the ant out from a tuft of grass or something, but it's just too bulky to carry around.

[drtrmiller]

Bags are great as long as you don't squish them

[Subverted]

Bags are great as long as you don't squish them

This. Drew likes to make fun of me for it but if you use small bags meant for beads or other things (1" wide 1.5" long) they are very handy and you can carry more than enough. Just put in a dry leaf to hold the bag open around the queen and you are set.