143 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

I’m very much so considering building a black light setup/ trap, and I want to know what a good amount of watts is for a light (on a pinned thread, someone mentioned that they had a 15 watt light), and I am looking at getting that very one.

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 19 2020 - 6:46 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

Never mind, I already ordered it, and I got the 15 watt tube plug in black light.

[Acutus]

Looking forward to seeing how well it works!

[CatsnAnts]

Acutus, on 21 May 2019 - 02:03 AM, said:

Looking forward to seeing how well it works!

Thxs! I plan on using the general sheet method, as well as attempting to build some sort of trap so I can put it outside and come back in the morning.

[CatsnAnts]

Alright everyone! My black light is actually arriving tonight! I changed the name of this topic because this is now for my trials and errors with my black light!

Edited by CatsnAnts, May 22 2019 - 5:15 AM.

[CatsnAnts]

Alright! So where I live in Indiana, it just rained for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday). Right now, it’s 85 degrees out and partly sunny, do you think it would be a good night to go black lighting? What species might I find?

[CatsnAnts]

Does this look like it will work? I’m not allowed to stay out past 10:00 tonight since I have finals again tomorrow (last day of school!), so I thought that I would place my black light above or right behind a tub of water. This container is 22 in by 15 in. I have no idea if this is going to work.


EDIT: apparently it’s supposed to rain now, so I am going to wait till tomorrow night and sleep outside with my black light and a white sheet!

Edited by CatsnAnts, May 23 2019 - 4:49 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

Alright! It’s decently humid out, warm, and it has rained decently over the past few days. I’m going to see if I can catch anything, although I still hope this 15 watt light is bright enough!

[CatsnAnts]

No queens yet, but sure are a lot of bugs!



EDIT: how long does it usually take for queens to show up?

Edited by CatsnAnts, May 24 2019 - 6:02 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

Starting to see some Camponotus pennsylvanicus and castaneus males! Hopefully I see queens soon!

[CatsnAnts]

Welp, I’m really not seeing anything and I’m getting tired, so I filled up a container with water and set it by the black light while I go to bed.

[Acutus]

Good Luck in the AM!!

[CatsnAnts]

Welp, the Camponotus queens never showed up, but I am hoping to have better luck this next week because we are going to have hot humid days as well as sunny and rainy days!

[Martialis]

Yeah, I’ve not gotten any Camponotus either yet.

The queens rarely show up in general to black lights. I’ve had more luck finding smaller things like Temnothorax at mine.

I live in Indiana, too, by the way.

[CatsnAnts]

Martialis, on 25 May 2019 - 4:12 PM, said:

Yeah, I’ve not gotten any Camponotus either yet.

The queens rarely show up in general to black lights. I’ve had more luck finding smaller things like Temnothorax at mine.

I live in Indiana, too, by the way.

Oh cool! Nice to meet someone else from Indiana! Have you been finding temnothorax at your black light already this year? If so, what were the conditions/weather? ( I really want to find some)

[Martialis]

Not yet; they fly pretty late in the year. Usually late August and September.

[CatsnAnts]

Do you guys feel like it would be a good night to go blacklighting tonight? We had storms today and are ending at 6:00 pm. After that, it is going to warm up to 73 degrees (although it’s already warm), and it is going to get sunny right before dark. I’m wondering if queens will fly, or do they usually wait till a day after rain?

[CatsnAnts]

Welp, I’m heading out right now! It’s 9:06 pm where I live, and it’s just starting to get dark. I’m excited to see what I can find!

[Colobopsis_Impressa]

Did you get any?

[CatsnAnts]

Colobopsis_Impressa, on 28 May 2019 - 10:07 PM, said:

Did you get any?

Sadly no, but I am planning on making a black light trap, that way I can set it out every night.