Collecting For Identification
   Collect insects by trapping, not crushing them. Many insects can be picked up in a bag or jar. A small, hand-held vacuum cleaner, cleaned of current debris, can help you catch fast-crawling insects. Fast-flying insects can be knocked down by spraying with a 1/2 second burst of an aerosol containing pyrethrins.

Preserving And Packaging
   In general, most insects should be preserved immediately after collection. Several specimens should be included if possible. Most specimens can be killed and preserved in small glass or plastic jars with tight lids. These jars should contain about 80% rubbing alcohol and 20% water. Do not preserve insects in water only.

   Large, fragile insects, such as butterflies and moths, should be frozen and stored in a crush-proof container without alcohol. Tissue paper gently placed around these specimens will keep them from being damaged in their container.

   Soft, fragile insects found on plants, such as mites, thrips, aphids, and scale insects, should be sent in as you would send diseased plants. These insects are easily damaged by removal from the plant, and their appearance on the plant as well as damage symptoms may be

   For ticks, it is preferable to have those found on humans or pets sent in alive. Ticks can be kept alive for several days by placing them in a small, loosely capped container with a moistened paper towel or a Q-tip moistened with one drop of water.

   When you have properly collected and preserved your specimens, place them in a crush proof container and bring them to your county agent. Your agent will either identify the insects or send them to Auburn University for identification.

Supporting Information
   With all samples, supporting information is needed to help with the identification. For each sample you collect, you should include the following information:

1. Your name and phone number.
2. Your county and town.
3. The date you collected the insect.
4. Where you found it, such as host plant, animal, or location in a building. If the specimen was found on a person, provide the person's name and phone number.
5. Your opinion to the degree of the infestation (heavy, medium, or light) and type of damage that has occurred.
6. Any insecticides you have used for control and the results.
7. If you follow these steps, the Extension Service will be able to accurately and quickly identify your insect problems and help you with your control measures.