Sweeping for livefood

Mick Bajcar

With spring approaching, our thoughts should soon be turning to the collection of wild insects (sweepings) to feed to our animals, rather than large scale breeding of live foods. The normal way is to use a large net to sweep through long grass, nettles or under trees. Whilst it is possible to make a net, I have for many years used one made by Marris House Nets, and these are of a very high quality and at a very reasonable price. I use the 16" (38cm) diameter black net, with a four-fold frame and two-foot (60cm) handle, which together cost about £10.00. The net, at about £5.00, needs replacing every other year. However, due to the recent massive increases in the price of the aluminium used for the frames and handles, please check with Mr. George for updated prices. Marris House Nets are at 54, Richmond Park Avenue, Queens Park, Bournemouth, Tel. 01202 5I5238.

When collecting sweepings you will quickly learn the best places to use at different times of the year. I have found that the first flush of insects appears in May on large nettle beds, when huge numbers of aphids appear, but these disappear after a few weeks. Sycamore trees provide large numbers of winged aphids by sweeping the net under the branches. The first sweep causes the aphids to take flight; the next one catches them. Sycamore aphids can even be taken when conditions are wet (but not raining) but long grass provides the best diversity. However, long grass does tend to produce a lot of insects that are too large for Dendrobates. These can be sieved off and the larger ones given to other animals. Unfortunately, sweeping long grass is ineffective in wet weather.

If you have never tried sweeping, give it a go, as your frogs will benefit from this dietary diversity.