Out and About: Bug Pitfall Trap

BY LOREENA NIEUWENHOUT

Alberta has a fascinating world of bugs just waiting for you to explore. From grasshoppers to worms to beetles and so much more, there are so many different kinds of creatures. A pitfall trap is a great way to catch bugs to examine them, and you only need a few items to do it! Here’s how to set up your own pitfall trap to get close with the critters around you.

Materials:

• A plastic cup or container
• A trowel (little hand shovel)
• A tray or plate
• Magnifying glass (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pick an area in your yard where you want to catch bugs. Good spots for bug catching have level ground and are near grass and other plants.
2. Using the trowel, dig a hole in the ground that is slightly bigger than your container.
3. Place your container in the hole and fill in any gaps between it and the ground with the soil you dug up, making sure the rim of the container is level with the surface of the ground. This way bugs can easily walk into it — otherwise you may find your trap empty!
4. Leave the trap in the ground overnight so bugs can wander in.
5. Check the trap in the morning and empty the container onto a tray or plate to see what critters you’ve caught. If you have a magnifying glass, this is a great opportunity to see those bugs up close. 
6. When you’re all done looking at your creatures, gently release them back into your yard so they can continue to do their thing!

Compare what you’ve collected with the Bug Scavenger Hunt found at naturealberta.ca/bugs