Integrated Pest Management Guide

USING PHEROMONE TRAPS

In British Columbia, pheromone traps are used mainly for monitoring blackheaded fireworm and cranberry girdler.

The type of pheromone trap usually used is the wing trap, which has a roof-like top, a bottom and a sticky "floor" insert that traps moths. The pheromone lure that attracts moths is suspended from the trap roof. Wing traps are supported by a wire hanger, which also attaches the trap to a stake for placement in the field.

To obtain accurate and reliable information from pheromone traps, it is important to follow the guidelines below.

1. ASSEMBLING THE WING TRAP
Begin by hanging the top of the trap from the wire hanger. Insert the lure, following the instructions below. Attach the trap bottom to the wire hanger, then place the sticky insert inside the trap to form the floor. Secure the sticky insert to the trap bottom with a paperclip. This will keep the insert in the trap on windy days.

2. HANDLING THE PHEROMONE LURE
Use disposable gloves or small plastic bags to handle pheromone lures. Hold a lure with one hand and position it so that it is suspended from the top (ceiling) of the trap.

The pheromone on the lure is odorless (to us), and colourless. However, pheromone will adhere to the outside surface of the glove or bag used to handle the lure. Therefore, do not touch any other part of the trap with a glove or bag that has handled a pheromone lure. Do not use the same glove to handle fireworm lures AND girdler lures. Once you have placed all the lures of one type (fireworm or girdler) in traps, remove the gloves or bags by turning them inside out. Tie them up and discard them.

3. PLACING TRAPS IN THE CRANBERRY BEDS
Attach the wire hangers to wooden stakes, and place traps in the beds so that the trap bottom hangs about 15 cm (6 inches) above the vine tips. Raise the traps as the vines grow. The recommended number of traps per area is discussed in sections on blackheaded fireworm and cranberry girdler.

Place traps in the beds at least one week before moth flight begins. For blackheaded fireworm, place traps in the beds in mid-May. For cranberry girdler, place traps in the beds in the first week of June.

4. CHECKING TRAPS WHEN MONITORING
Visit the traps once or twice per week, on the same days each week (for example, Wednesdays only, or Mondays and Thursdays). Pull out the insert, then count and remove the target insects. Scrape their bodies and wings completely off the sticky insert. If the glue becomes darkened with moth scales, replace the insert with a fresh one. Replace the insert in the trap, and secure it with a paperclip.

Keep records of your counts on a sheet of paper or in electronic format, as you prefer.

5. REPLACING LURES
Replace blackheaded fireworm lures every 6 weeks. Remove the old lure and replace it with an unused lure, using disposable gloves as described above. Place the old lure(s) in a bag and throw them into the garbage.

Replace cranberry girdler lures every 4 weeks. Remove the old lure and replace it with an unused lure, using disposable gloves as described above. Place the old lure(s) in a bag and throw them into the garbage.

DO NOT LEAVE THE OLD LURE IN THE PHEROMONE TRAP
OR IN THE BED NEARBY.

Store unused lures in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer until use.

6. PHEROMONE RELEASE FROM LURES
When a fresh lure is placed in a trap, the pheromone on its surface is rapidly released into the air. You might visualize this as a "blast" of odour coming off the lure for the first few days.

After a few days, the release rate of pheromone from the lure is reduced and becomes relatively constant. The amount of pheromone released from fireworm and girdler lures during this period is sufficient for monitoring these pests.

Four to six weeks after placing a fresh lure in the field, most of its pheromone has been released. The lure is not empty or ineffective at this point. However, its attractive power has been reduced and it should be replaced, as described above.

ASSEMBLING THE WING TRAP

1. Hang top of trap from wire hanger 2. Insert the lure

3. Attach trap bottom 4. Place sticky insert inside trap to form the floor

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