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How to Pick Up an Ant

Ants have fascinated humans for a long time. Their colonies and caste system, along with their communication methods, make them interesting creatures to learn from and observe. Ant farms are common in classrooms and bedrooms alike, and collecting your own ants can be part of the adventure. Ants belong to the same family as bees and wasps, and as such, many have painful stingers and others may pinch with their mandibles. Some ants, such as the fire ant family, should not be handled, but many of them are harmless.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass
Small, hand spade (also called garden trowel) or a small hand shovel
Bug vacuum

Instructions

- 1
  Observe the ant in question with a magnifying glass. Look for pinching mandibles or stingers on the ant.
- 2
  Pick up the ant with your hand if it is stinger- and pincher - free. For large ants, you can try to use your fingers. Grab them gently around the thorax. For smaller ants, simply lay your hand down in their path and allow it to crawl onto your hand.
- 3
  Sweep up the ant with a bug vacuum. These items are sold in toy stores and garden centers. Some professional models are sold online and other places. Look for a humane vacuum that won't harm the insects.
- 4
  Scoop up the ants with the trowel or small shovel.
- 5
  Put the ant in a clear container with a secure lid. Let the ant go shortly near the place you found it, unless you have created a suitable environment such as a sand-filled clear container with nylon or suitable air ventilation.

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