Biological Nets

A biological net is one of the essential tools of a field biology researcher — you! A bio-net allows you to safely and gently gather samples. Whether you’re studying butterflies or tadpoles a bio-net is the tool to have! Important safety note: Do both of these with parental supervision. Many of the steps are tricky and involve sharp objects.

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What you need (these materials are not listed int he main shopping list, as this project is a little more involved):

• 1-meter x 2-meter fly-wire screen netting (gauge = 0.6mm spaces)
• 4 strips (20cm x 1m) of heavy canvas
• 2 broom handles
• Nails
• Thread
• Hammer
• Sewing machine
• Ironing board with iron

How to make a two-handled bio-net:

Basically, you’re going to create a square net of fly-wire, frame it with the strips of canvas, then attach the broom handles to either side. Your final product should look like this:

1. Fold the fly-wire in half so it’s 1m X 1m.
2. Fold the edges of the canvas strips under so there’s a smooth edge to each of the sides of the strips. About 1cm each side should work.
3. Sew two of the strips to the top and bottom of the fly-wire square.
4. Sew the other two to the sides of the fly-wire, but leave enough space for the broom handles to slip in.
5. Slip the broom handles into the sleeves you just created. Use the nails to firmly attach the canvas sleeves to the handles. These are the handles of the bio-net. Voilà!

How to make a single handled sampling net:

What you need:

• 4 (60cm X 30cm) pieces of fly-wire netting (250um mesh)
• 1.5m piece of bias tape
• 1m (or longer) broom handle
• Thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• 3 wire coat hangers
• Drill with 0.5com wood bit
• Pliers
• Binding

Let’s make the net!

1. Cut the netting into four triangles (50cm high with 30cm bases) (1).
2. Sew them together into a single net.
3. Sew a 1.5m strip of bias tape onto the net. Don’t sew both sides. Leave the outside flap un-sewn so that you can sip the wire in (2).
4. Drill a hole in one of the ends of the broom handle.
5. Remove the hooks from the hangers.
6. Untwist the hangers and slip into the bias-tape sleeve.
7. Sew the bias tape sleeve closed.
8. Twist the tops of the hangers together into a stem and insert into the hole in the broom handle.
9. Bend the hanger hooks into a “U” and use it to bind the net to the handle.
10. Bind the U to the broom with the binding (5).

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