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A long time ago I saw an apparatus for capturing wandering crickets. I's main part was a small jar with a screw-on lid. Next, the cricket conduit, (I can't remember the inside diameter of this part.) about 12 " long, attached to the lid of the bottle; the crickets got sucked up this tube,and fell into the jar. Next, onto the lid, was attached another 12" length of flexible tube that the user sucked on to draw the cricket up the first tube into the bottle. I would identify the sipping nozzle by wrapping it with tape.

Does anybody know where I can buy one of those things? If not, I'll start supplying them. But I need one because I'm tired of chasing crickets all over the cage substrate. I just can't leave crickets in with Jewelled Lacertas over-night anymore since one of them had a very bad interaction with over-night wanderers, which, it turned out, were ravenous for a drink of water, and attacked the Lacerta's eyes. I trust crickets so little now that I won't put food and water out for them. At bedtime every evening, it's Catch the Crickets around here

clffdvr

What you are describing is called a pooter. Not a very good name, granted, but that's what it is called.

I made one myself for collecting ants. I was using a baby food jar and airline tubing. You'd need larger tubing for crickets, obviously. It is super easy to make, and it'd take you less time to build than it would to go out and find one to buy.

Is this what you had in mind:

Here are some instructions, adapt them to what you have available:
http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/W/wild_thing/diy_6.html

http://www.le.ac.uk/bl/gat/virtualfc/217/217tech.html

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/kids/activities/home_activities.html

http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/springharbor/insect traps.htm

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis@ozemail.com.au/scifun/live.htm

But, I just grab the loose crickets with my 12" forceps. After a little practice, it's quick and easy.
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KJ Vezino
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Those are what I had in mind. Vez, You are a wealth of information. They are exactly what I thought they would look like. I would use a short sipping tube and a long suction tube. I'll build one today.

Roger