How to Make a Bug and Bee Catcher
If you are curious about bugs and bees, or know someone who is, there is a safe and humane way to catch them for observation. You can make a bug and bee catcher with common household items and a few minutes of time. While bugs are sitting inside the catcher's chamber you can observe their behavior and get a closer look at their body. The design of this catcher allows you to not touch the bug or bee, keeping both you and the creature safe. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Disposable cup with lid
- 2-inch section of a straw
- Gauze
- Tape
- Hot glue gun
- 1-foot long section of 1/2-inch thick aquarium tubing
Instructions
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1
Use the tip of the utility knife to make a hole in the bottom of the cup. Make sure the hole is big enough for the straw to fit through without squeezing it.
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2
Attach the gauze with tape so it covers one end of the straw. Put the end of the straw without the gauze through the hole you made in the bottom of the cup, letting only an inch or so poke out the bottom of the cup.
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3
Apply some hot glue around the edges of the hole in the bottom of the cup. This is to seal off any little gaps a bug could crawl through. Place the cup on its side and allow the glue to dry. Make sure the straw does not dry in the hole at an angle. You may have to prop the straw up with some books or other objects to keep it from drying crooked.
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4
Insert the aquarium tubing into the hole in the cup's lid, making sure an inch or so of it is sticking out on the bottom side of the lid. Apply hot glue to the hole around the tubing and allow it to dry.
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Snap the lid onto the cup. To catch a bug, put the tubing near the bug and suck on the straw. The bug will be sucked into the cup, where it will not be able to get out. When you are done observing the bug, open the lid and let it out of the cup.
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Tips & Warnings
Only an adult should handle the hot glue gun.
References
- Photo Credit a bug image by Pavel Bernshtam from Fotolia.com
