Mercury light for moths questions

[mantisfan101]

I found a light bulb called the “Brinks 7275 Bulb 175W Mercury Vapor Light” and I really want to try it out to attract some moths and beetles. The only thing that I can put it in however is a fluker’s repti-clamp lamp and I’m not sure if it’ll be able to take all the power or if it’ll even fit. Would this work? Or would the lamp just drain all the elxtricity from my whole house? Also woukd I need some sort of eye protection while using it too?

 

[The Snark]

Safely dispose of the lamp at a recycling center.
FIRST, you need a ballast. As in $100 on up. Probably the reason for an orphan bulb found lying around. Then, if memory serves, you will need a mogul base for the bulb. A #28 I think, ceramic. Another $20. Just plugging a MV lamp into household juice will pop the breaker as you need the ballast's current limiting.

 

[Colorado Ts]

Just use a UV black light and shine it on a white sheet. That will attract bugs like no body's business, insane attraction, at a much cheaper cash layout than what you are thinking.

 

[jrh3]

Just use a UV black light and shine it on a white sheet. That will attract bugs like no body's business, insane attraction, at a much cheaper cash layout than what you are thinking.

This is what we do in the woods at night, hang out a bed sheet. Shine light on it. Really any light would work.

You will be surprised at what you find in your area.

 

[Colorado Ts]

This is what we do in the woods at night, hang out a bed sheet. Shine light on it. Really any light would work.

You will be surprised at what you find in your area.

Here in Colorado, I used to be a 4-H leader in Entomology. I'd take the 4-H kiddos out to the Pawnee Grasslands and set up sheet stations, with different types of lights shining on each station. After dark the kids would collect insects for their collections...and document how each type of light worked to bring in insects. White lights worked real good, colored lights not so much...UV Black Lights...insane how much they attracted insects.

 

[jrh3]

Here in Colorado, I used to be a 4-H leader in Entomology. I'd take the 4-H kiddos out to the Pawnee Grasslands and set up sheet stations, with different types of lights shining on each station. After dark the kids would collect insects for their collections...and document how each type of light worked to bring in insects. White lights worked real good, colored lights not so much...UV Black Lights...insane how much they attracted insects.

Yes, If I recall the black lights do work better.

 

[Colorado Ts]

Yes, If I recall the black lights do work better.

Insanely better, moths, flying beetles, even butterflies will come in after dark. The black light stations had to be located farther away from the other stations as they would drain insects to them and the other stations would produce zero data for the students

 

[mantisfan101]

I’ll use blacklights then, would just a flashlight work, or could I use one of those reptile black uv-lamps? Also would I need to wear any protective gear(safety glasses)?

 

[Colorado Ts]

I’ll use blacklights then, would just a flashlight work, or could I use one of those reptile black uv-lamps? Also would I need to wear any protective gear(safety glasses)?

If you can find the portable fluorescents, they work great.

 

[mantisfan101]

Would this maybe work? I also concerned if it could potentially damage my eyes/skin because it is still a uv light

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002F5544/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

[Introvertebrate]

I'd wear some sort of glasses that provide UV protection.

Amazon.com: LEDwholesalers UV Protection Adjustable Safety Glasses with Yellow Tint, 7821 : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy LEDwholesalers UV Protection Adjustable Safety Glasses with Yellow Tint, 7821 on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

www.amazon.com

 

[jrh3]

Would this maybe work? I also concerned if it could potentially damage my eyes/skin because it is still a uv light

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002F5544/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

That will work fine. I have been to many parties with black lights and I still have 20/20 vision.

 

[pannaking22]

Worth noting that UV and MV bulbs attract different species. Also MV can attract others somewhat passively from greater distances before they see the UV and get drawn in. If you're going for bulk and trying to see what's in your area, UV is the cheap and easy way to go.

 

[mantisfan101]

I’ve seen saturniids and caught them within my local area so I’m really hoping to find some, thanks for all the help!

 

[Colorado Ts]

Would this maybe work? I also concerned if it could potentially damage my eyes/skin because it is still a uv light

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002F5544/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I don't think that light is portable, the light will work fine though as long as you have a power source. Try these:

Amazon.com : 6 Inch Handheld UV Black Light Torch with LED Flashlight - Portable Blacklight UV Money Detector Stamp Detection of Fluorescent Marks, Certificates, Repairs : Office Products

Amazon.com : 6 Inch Handheld UV Black Light Torch with LED Flashlight - Portable Blacklight UV Money Detector Stamp Detection of Fluorescent Marks, Certificates, Repairs : Office Products

www.amazon.com

Amuoc UV Flashlight Black light UV Lights, 51 LED Blacklight Pet Urine Detector For Dog/Cat Urine, Dry Stains, Bed Bug, Matching with Pet Odor Eliminator(Batteries Not Included) - - Amazon.com

Amuoc UV Flashlight Black light UV Lights, 51 LED Blacklight Pet Urine Detector For Dog/Cat Urine, Dry Stains, Bed Bug, Matching with Pet Odor Eliminator(Batteries Not Included) - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

uvBeast Black Light UV Flashlight – HIGH Power 100 LED with 30-feet Flood Effect – Professional Grade 385nm-395nm Best for Commercial/Domestic Use Works Even in Ambient Light - USA Stock – UK Design - - Amazon.com

uvBeast Black Light UV Flashlight – HIGH Power 100 LED with 30-feet Flood Effect – Professional Grade 385nm-395nm Best for Commercial/Domestic Use Works Even in Ambient Light - USA Stock – UK Design - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Any of these lights that I've listed above are battery operated and portable. You only need to come up with a stand to hold the light...shine it on a white sheet...and wait for the bugs to gather.

You can drape the sheet over a barbed-wire fence, or thumb tack it between trees. Then attache the light to the stand and shine it on the sheet. The light will shine through the sheet, making both sides a collecting surface. It's very easy to setup several stations and cover a huge area...brighter lights have farther range and will bring in bugs over a greater distance.

You can even wear white T-shirts and use yourself as a collecting surface as you walk from station to station. Realize that if you wear white and shine a black light on yourself...you will be swarmed. So stand still and just let others collect off of you.

 

[mantisfan101]

I saw these but thought that they were too small to attract anything like beetles, giant silk moths, etc.

 

[Colorado Ts]

I saw these but thought that they were too small to attract anything like beetles, giant silk moths, etc.

The bottom flashlight is a floodlight. It’s surprising what modern technology has done for producing very effective, portable, light weight equipment for bug collecting.

Thanks to you, I'm now thinking about taking the grand kids out bug collecting next week. So yeah, your a bad influence.

...oh, and if you do this, I want pictures, and a story about how things went.

Here's where I used to get all my bug collecting supplies, display cases...etc.

BioQuip Products, Inc. Home Page

 

[The Snark]

Just an FYI. No UV is safe for your eyes. Having 20-20 vision is not an indicator your eyes are undamaged. UV damage to the eyes commonly develops around the age of 50 with numerous symptoms and conditions.
Essentially, think of a burn to your skin greater than superficial epidermal surface. Epidermal burns go away as skin cells are replaced. UV burn scaring to the eyes never goes away completely.
Read up: Photokeratitis, Pinguecula, Pteragium, Cataracts and Macular Degeneration.