14 replies to this topic

[T.C.]

When ant hunting, observing, and capturing are you sick of being stared at? Pointed at? Given funny looks, or people asking if you are ok? Well, I am and I have seen others with the very same issues. Well, no worries... the following tutorial will teach you how to avoid ant keeping discrimination all together.

There is several different methods of going about observing or picking up ants without people thinking you need a doctor. Please view the following steps to avoid wierd looks, staring, pointing, and good stuff like that.

OPTION #1: ( Got a dog? )This is my personal favorite and the most used. Having your dog with you and bending down doesn't look like anything out of the ordinary. It's a great way to slip them ants in your pocket because people assume you merely dropped a dog treat and wish to retrieve it or that your dog found something and you would like to take It home. If you don't own a dog, then perhaps option two is best for you! Please read on.

OPTION #2: (Another use of money) Although this option is not all that ideal, and may cause people to think you are a clutz.... a pocket or bag of loose change is the answer. When you have found your favorite anting spot, simply dump the change all over the ground in a "accident" like manner. Then bend down and retrieve the money, and the ants as well. No one will think anything of it! (Take note: If anyone offers to help clean it up, which as you know would ruin your ant grabbing efforts. Simply telling them you do not "trust them" will result in them completely leaving you and your ant search burdenless.)

OPTION #3: (The dumb card) If you happen to be dogless, and changeless, perhaps due to a unexpected finding and can't resist to pick it up, then this method is for you. If for example your at work or just chatting with your buddies, and you spot a queen ant. Look at it giving funny looks. Then proceed to pick it up, as your viewers watch. Here is the tricky part. Making up some crazy random story about it and why you need to put it in a test tube that coincidentally just happened to be in your back pocket. The following are some great lines that the average person that nows nothing on the matter may buy into.

" Wow, I read in biology this is some sort of endangered bug and worth money if people find them."

OR

Hah! I know this crazy guy who will pay for these big looking ants. I don't know why, but I am just interested in the cash! Well, I am just going to have to hang onto this. It isn't a beetle right?"

OPTION #4: (I don't care!) If you have already married and don't care what others are thinking of you, then just pick it up and full blown out say, "I want this bug as a pet! And Love it or hate it's going home with me." This is straight to the point and you won't feel the need to hide anything.

Using any one of these methods will surely help you avoid such issues in this hobby!

[ctantkeeper]

I have pretty much mastered option #4 lol.

[Antking117]

Yeah i don't care lol, just say yeah I collect ants, its cool you should try. Most people just say that is cool and want to know more.. I have not had anyone really be rude or laugh at me. Most think it is awesome.

[OmniusClone]

I'm with antking117 on this one. I've received many strange looks, and I'm pretty sure one guy thought I was trying to case his house... O_o
But for the most part if anyone actually decides to talk to me, it's usually pretty positive. I even got to talking with a very nice lady who pointed me towards another area in town to check out.

[ctantkeeper]

Yeah, usually interactions with others are quite positive. I often receive many awkward stares, but rarely any negative comments. In order to prevent others from thinking the worst (drug trafficking, murder, etc.), I usually introduce myself and tell them either that I am collecting insects for a school project or that I am working for a larger organization that specializes in studying wildlife and ecology. Most of the time however, I am usually pretty honest with people. I often get weird and unusual questions such as : " what do you do after you raise the ants into a colony? what's the point?" or "Why would you raise ants? dogs and cats are clearly the superior pet option. My dog gives me love and affection while your ants give you nothing.". People are weird.... excuse me while I tend to my ants which I willingly and openly keep in my house (specifically my bedroom) lol.

Edited by ctantkeeper, April 19 2017 - 3:45 AM.

[Phoenix]

^ The school project excuse works pretty well, surprisingly.

[ctantkeeper]

(deleted message)

Edited by ctantkeeper, April 19 2017 - 4:23 AM.

[Nathant2131]

I was way up In New Hanpshire last weekend in this really quite neighborhood while carrying around cotton balls and test tubes. I think this guy walking mistook them for drug paraphernalia, because the look he gave me was not pretty.

[BMM]

I usually just tell anyone who asks that I study insects. Throwing around a few species names is usually convincing enough.

[Loops117]

Option #4. I simply don't care what others think of me. I'm a grown man collecting insects. If you have an issue or see it any way other then interesting, well you're not someone i wanna know anyway. Bugs are awesome.

[T.C.]

Option #4. I simply don't care what others think of me. I'm a grown man collecting insects. If you have an issue or see it any way other then interesting, well you're not someone i wanna know anyway. Bugs are awesome.

For me it depends on who I am with. I am not really going to get on the ground in front of some girl I just met and start picking up bugs. At least I would like them to get to know me first and know why I am doing that. However if it's strangers, then I couldn't care less. Actually, scorpions and tarantulas are fairly common pets, so for some reason if you have one of those arachnids with them, people won't think nothing of it if you are adding ants to the collection.

[Loops117]

 

Option #4. I simply don't care what others think of me. I'm a grown man collecting insects. If you have an issue or see it any way other then interesting, well you're not someone i wanna know anyway. Bugs are awesome.

For me it depends on who I am with. I am not really going to get on the ground in front of some girl I just met and start picking up bugs. At least I would like them to get to know me first and know why I am doing that. However if it's strangers, then I couldn't care less. Actually, scorpions and tarantulas are fairly common pets, so for some reason if you have one of those arachnids with them, people won't think nothing of it if you are adding ants to the collection.

 

Nope, if i were chillen with a girl and saw something worth collecting, i would start collecting. I would immediately know she's the one if she starts looking without asking why. If she doesnt care for it and has any issue, then she's not right for me. You don't bend or change for someone just to impress them.

 

Besides, if she's used to finding small things, it could make your future a little less disappointing =D With bugs that is.

[MichiganAnts]

I'm option 4

 

but i think ill get in worse trouble then everyone else. The roads here are very bad and can easily hide insects. However if you go to the police station and look on the driveway and sidewalk they are white and easy to see bugs on. So if they look outside they see a guy on his hands and feet with test tubes staring at the sidewalk/driveways.

Edited by MichiganAnts, April 19 2017 - 9:13 AM.

[Californian Anter]

I'm kind of option 4 also. When I see a queen, I pick it up and pretend to drop it down my friend's neck but I still keep it in my hand. Later,  I put it into a test tube to take home.

[T.C.]

I'm kind of option 4 also. When I see a queen, I pick it up and pretend to drop it down my friend's neck but I still keep it in my hand. Later,  I put it into a test tube to take home.

Then, that wouldn't be option 4.... because you are pretending you don't care about it and just want to joke around with it. You are hiding the fact that you want that ant as a pet.