Home >> Science & Nature >> Insects & Science

How to Make an Insect Vacuum With a Plastic Bottle

Children and adults who would like to study insects more closely without physically touching them can do so by capturing them with a simple vacuum. Made out of a plastic bottle and tubing, this vacuum can quickly and gently capture insects and hold them for a short amount of time. After they have been examined for a few hours, they should be released into their natural environment.

Things You'll Need

Plastic bottle with wide neck/lid
Plastic tubing, 1/4 inch diameter, 2 feet long
Gauze
Rubber band
Sealant
Drill

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the lid. Drill two holes into the top of the bottle lid, both large enough to fit the plastic tubing through. If you are using a soda pop bottle or water bottle with a small lid, make your holes in the top of the bottle near the neck instead. You can use a knife or scissors to make them instead of a drill.
- 2
  Prepare the tubing. Cover one end of the tubing with a small square of gauze, about 1-inch-by-1-inch in size. Secure it with the rubber band. Cut the tubing in half so that you have two equal size pieces.
- 3
  Construct the vacuum. Push the tubing through the holes in the lid of the bottle, making sure that the gauze covered end of the one tube is inside the bottle. Fasten the lid to the bottle and seal any extra space in the lid holes around the plastic tubes with sealant to make sure it is as airtight as possible.

Insects & Science