Stuff you'll need

• A net: Water bugs are usually collected with pond nets with mesh sizes ranging from 0.25 to one mm. The best kind of net is one with a flat edge so you can get close to the bottom. If you don’t have a net, you can attach an old broom handle to a plastic kitchen sieve. To make the mesh finer, use an old stocking and a rubber band over this. Make your own net! Download how to do it (PDF 64KB)
  
  
• Bucket: to place your catch before sorting.
  
  
• Fish nets: Good for scooping water bugs from the bucket to the sorting trays. Smaller nets are also great for catching water bugs in the sorting trays to transfer to ice cube trays for counting.
  
  
• White Sorting Tray: to separate the water bugs from sand, mud and leaf litter.
  
  
• Ice-cube tray: to sort bugs for identification.
  
  
• Pipettes, spoons and paint brushes: to transfer bugs to ice-cube trays.
  
  
• Magnifying glass: to see tiny water bugs.
  
  
• Clipboard and field record sheet: to record your catch.

• Bug Detective guide: to identify the water bugs in the field.
  
  
• Gum boots, sunscreen, hat and kitchen gloves: to protect yourself.