The Bug Vac

The Bug Vacuum

Last night I picked up a bug vac. It's a product by edu-science and I suppose aimed at kids that want to learn more about the life sciences. The idea is pretty cool. You point the vacuum part at the bug. The bug gets sucked up into the vacuum and out into a built in habitat. You can then detach the habitat part which has a spring loaded trap door that shuts so the bug can't get back out.

The reality is that the bug vacuum which is only powered by four AA batteries doesn't really have a lot of suction. It's not like you can suck flying bugs out of the air. Boo. It doesn't even have enough suck power to pick up paper, so don't think you can use it as a real vacuum to get the crumbs out of your keyboard.


The habitat with about 20 flies in it

Despite the lack of power, if the vacuum nozzle is placed right over the bug, the bug does get sucked up (if it jumps off the ground). I managed to catch about twenty flies. So I guess it does work.

The only thing I would want improved with the bug vac other than it's suck power is to make the plastic more transparent. Shooting through the existing habitat wall makes for foggy photos (see below).


foggy insect photos

Note: It should be known that with the vacuum in the off position it is possible for the bug to crawl or fly back out. So make sure to detach the habitat before bringing in doors. That is unless you want bugs in the room you're in.

You can pick up your own bug vac at Toys R Us. It sells for $19.99 CAN.