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How to View Small Bugs

Insects are fascinating organisms adults and children can investigate and study. Small insects can be annoyingly difficult to catch and handle. If you do end up catching them, they are either injured or killed during the process. Fortunately, you can use a device called a bug-collecting vacuum to safely catch them and transfer them to a jar or container so you can observe them properly.

Things You'll Need

Nail
Glass jar with lid
Hammer
Bug-collecting vacuum
Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  Create some holes on a lid of a large jar so the small insects can breathe. Position a large nail on top of the jar lid and tap it with a hammer to make a hole. Make ten holes or more in the lid.
- 2
  Position the bug collecting vacuum about 2 to 3 inches away from the small insect. Activate the vacuum according to the device's instruction manual and suck the insect into the holding chamber. Collect only a couple of insects at a time and avoid overfilling the holding chamber. You can purchase a bug-collecting vacuum at a toy store or science store.
- 3
  Open the door of the holding container carefully and transfer the insects into the glass jar.
- 4
  Rotate the glass jar and observe the bugs. Use a magnifying glass to get a close-up view of the body parts of the small insect.

Insects & Science