Always good to hear from you Frank!

I was trying to collect Dermapterans this last summer and it seems they are never around when you want them to be, yet super abundant when you don't want them to be, lol.

Never thought about baiting them in with a pitfall trap - good advice - especially within the rose bushes. If I had a dollar for every baited pitfall that was dug up on me I could probably treat us to a fancy dinner! In addition, screen-style or wire caging around the trap works well for keeping out mammals while allowing smaller insects to enter so long as it is properly anchored.

I've never thought about these guys as a food source due to their somewhat noxious defense volatiles, but I agree that they should be perfectly fine to feed considering the number of insectivores (herps and aves alike) that use them as a common food source. As always, it would be good to make sure your yard or collecting area is chemical and "-cide" free to prevent potential harm to your pet. And if the "pinchers" are bothersome to you, a razor blade or pair of scissors will make quick work in snipping them off. Its mostly just sclerotized, hard tissue back there anyway.