Made two initial updates to
CommsPrepper's clever bug-trapping bottle joiner:
- Increased the length of the tube by 18mm.
- Added recesses on the outside to give a better grip.
... and it still prints without supports.
Additionally, there are now four (note 1) larger diameter versions for 38mm bottle necks/threads:
- Single-start thread.
- Twin-start thread.
- Triple-start thread.
- Eight-start thread.
... and...
- Witch's fingers (note 2) - not the cookie - a boat-hook for bugs in three sizes to fit 13mm (1/2"), 16mm (5/8"), and 19mm (3/4") diameter dowels.
- End-pokers (note 3) to shove the more feisty bugs down the bottle joiners. Both attachments are a good push fit, but should be secured with a countersunk M4 screw.
- Dowel-holders (note 4) to keep them neat using a wheelie bin as mount. Overdesigned? Maybe...
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour water and a dash of dishwashing liquid into the bottom third of a bottle, this quickly drowns the bugs.
Cut another bottle to make a funnel and attach it to the top.
To trap the bugs, use a light source, like a glow stick or LED, to get them into the bottle where they drown. Place against the trunk of the infected tree overnight. The only shortcoming with this method is that somebody forgot to tell the bugs.
However…
Using a long bottle and a long funnel turns this into a very effective catcher-killer. It dramatically increases your reach, and you quickly get the knack of placing the funnel underneath the bugs and flicking them into it with the witch's finger mounted on the end of a dowel. The inside tube prevents water and bugs spilling out even when dropped.
Best avoid the problem altogether: spray citrus trees with eco oil at the end of winter. Do this twice, two weeks apart, especially targeting the underside of the leaves where the still vulnerable green nymphs hang out.
Want to kill flies instead?
- Try https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7178760
- And https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7229323
You can find the little sieve tub in picture eight at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6940898
Check out more good things from
Department_Nine!
(1)
UPDATE 29 October 2025: Added 38mm single and eight-times thread start version. Replaced the original 38mm twin start file with updated one which has a more descriptive name (which reset the download counter from 93 to zero). The number of stripes on the side indicate the number of thread-starts.
(2)
UPDATE 9 November 2025: Added "Witch's Fingers" hook for mounting on the end of timber dowels for extra reach. These are very effective at goading the bugs into the funnel.
(3)
UPDATE 10 December 2025: Added 13mm, 16mm and 19mm end pokers with M4 countersunk holes to fasten them permanently to the dowel. Also added countersunk screw holes at the end of the witches' fingers (which reset the download counter to zero again).
(4)
UPDATE 3 January 2026: Added clip-on holders to keep the dowels nice and upright using a wheelie bin; single and double. One for each dowel size.
Department_Nine
