Hobbies And Interests
Cans
One method of catching leeches requires you to fill a sturdy can--such as an empty coffee can--with fish heads or fish entrails to attract leeches. Leeches have excellent sensors to detect blood. Add rocks or some other weight that will hold the can steady in shallow water. Close the top of the can by squeezing the rims together, and puncture the sides of the can to crate small slits. Take the can to the edge of a body of water or marsh and leave it in a shallow area overnight, as leeches tend to be nocturnal. Return after about four to six hours and open the can to discover how many leeches are feeding on the fish bait.
Allow Them to Feed
Another way to catch leeches is to venture into areas where they are prevalent and allow them to feed on your skin. In some locations, you may only have to wade to the edge of a lake or river, and leeches will sense your presence and fasten onto your skin. In an environment such as a rain forest, you may have to wait until it's raining, because leeches love especially wet conditions. Once the leeches attach to your skin, place a bag or jar underneath them and wait for them to finish feeding. They will fall off when they are engorged. Scraping leeches off your skin as they are feeding can cause them to regurgitate blood into your wound and lead to an infection.
Specialized Traps
A few companies manufacture specialized traps made exclusively to trap leeches. These traps are typically shaped like long, narrow beer steins with a handle on one side, and are weighted in such a way that water enters one end and air is expelled from the other end. All you have to do is add some kind of bait into the holder and cover it with a specially made top, which resembles a small sieve. You then drop the trap into a body of water, let it submerge, wait an hour or so, and check to see how many leeches you have trapped. These traps usually come with a long cord and a float for easy identification.
Nets
Nets are another way to catch leeches. Use a small dip net for leeches in a shallow body of water that is easily accessible. Cast nets have a wider surface area, but unless you have experience throwing one, you should buy a net that is smaller and easier to handle. Your goal when using a cast net is for the net to land over a wide area of leeches so that you have a better chance of trapping a large amount. Using a net isn't the most efficient way to catch leeches, but it can be accomplished if you use the right kind of net and are patient.