How to Select Bug Collecting Supplies

Having quality bug collecting supplies on hand can make capturing and studying bugs easier and more rewarding. From jars and nets to boards and beating sheets, most bug collecting supplies are relatively inexpensive. You may even be able to make some of your own bug collecting supplies using ordinary household items.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Equip Yourself to Capture Bugs

1. Purchase a butterfly net, also called a funnel net, from an online resource like Ward's Natural Science (see Resources below).

2. Buy a sweep net. This net features a tough cloth instead of regular netting.

3. Secure an aquatic net. This type of net is designed for capturing bugs that live in water.

4. Acquire pitfall traps. These traps are designed to make bugs fall into them.

5. Make or buy light traps. These traps are set at night, attracting bugs with lights.

6. Choose a killing method. Most people use jars with killing agents in them. Others choose to kill bugs by freezing them.

7. Obtain killing jars. You can use any jars that have tightly fitted lids.

8. Select a killing agent and a sponge or piece of plaster if you do not plan on freezing your bugs. Common killing agents include ethanol, alcohol and cyanide.

Purchase Equipment for Mounting and Displaying Bugs

9. Select entomology or sewing pins for mounting your bugs.

10. Buy a spread board for positioning butterflies and moths.

11. Obtain pin points for bugs that are too small for regular pinning. Pin points are thin triangles of paper.

12. Purchase small vials and alcohol for displaying bugs with soft bodies. Vials can also be used for arachnids.

13. Secure entomology labels or make your own.

Select Storage Supplies for Your Bug Collection

14. Obtain wooden boxes or trays for storing your bug collection.

15. Select styrofoam or cork for lining your bug collection boxes.

16. Secure moth balls or another type of fumigant to help keep pests away from your prized collection.

Tips & Warnings

• Sewing pins can be used for mounting bugs. However, most people select and use entomology pins, as they are better suited to bug pinning.
• It is best to use alcohol-proof ink for labeling bugs in your collection.
• Wooden cigar boxes can be used for storing bug collections.
• You can start your collection with minimal supplies, adding more equipment as your collection grows.
• Check carefully to be sure any stinging insects are dead before you attempt to handle them. Some stinging insects may survive a short period of freezing, reanimating once they have thawed out.

Resources

• Ward's Natural Science for bug collecting equipment