buzzmobile

Do you suffer from whiteflies, fungus gnats, leafhoppers, thrips or any number of other winged critters? Well have I got a project for you.

Yellow sticky traps are great for helping to control insects in the grow room. I have experimented with a couple of materials in search of the best and most economical way to make the traps. Here's a little step-by-step photo lesson. I believe there are 8 pics in the series so I will try to get them organized and in sequence.

My first attempts at making my own traps used the classic Duo-Tang paper folders. They worked pretty well but they were not durable and the yellow color faded after a few weeks under the lights. On a trip to OfficeDepot last week I found this
That's a vinyl folder and the color to use is as Yellow a DOT Yellow as you can find. I have reconstructed one that I had already trimmed up.

buzzmobile

The next step is to cut the folder right down the middle splitting it in half.

This particular brand of folder has inside pockets which give two more cards when cut apart.

buzzmobile

Once the folder is cut in half, it is a simple exercise in scissorship to trim the pockets from the cover. With the pockets removed and set aside it is scissors time again. I just cut them into three equal sections witht the handy metal holes centered on the cut section. As you can see that makes 8 potential cards for the traps.

buzzmobile

Here's the stuff. It is gooey sticky stuff that smells like pine pitch. TreeTanglefoot is the magic. I bought this tub about a year and a half ago- $6.79 US. It is probably easier to find in a Garden Center than a mass merchandiser chain store. I'm sure it is available online as well. Latex gloves are a must when using this stuff. It is sticky. I originally experimented with glue sticks and spray adhesives but they were ineffectual at best. The putty knife is the spreader of choice.

buzzmobile

Just like Brylcreem

A small amount is all that's needed. The Tanglefoot is very thick - like Honey Butter. It spreads easily.

buzzmobile

Spread the Tanglefoot in a thin thin layer. Too heavy an application will cause the stuff to drip off the card. I spread it with the flat blade of the putty knife to both sides of the card. Then I turn the putty knife on edge to remove any excess goo.

The amount on that side of the card shown is plenty enough to slather both sides of the card.

buzzmobile

I hang my cards just above the tops of my plants. I have read that horizontal plaacement will atrract more bugs but I have yet to come up with a method to do that. The cards can be laid across the edge of the container I suppose but the results of dangling them has been satisfactory to me.

buzzmobile

This card was hanging for about 30 minutes when I went back to check on it. The white flecks you see are my favorite quarry, my nemesis the evil WHITEFLY.

They check in but they don't check out.

BTW, that bud showing is a Durban that I just harvested today.

Yum!

That's the lesson for today fellow bug fighters. I looked for sticky traps online and most are in the range of $1 US per card. My folders were $1.59 each and the Tanglefoot was $6.79. The goo is pretty much a lifetime supply. I did the math and I think I'm coming out ahead.

There's also nothing more satisfying than to cause a whitefly to come up and watch it head straight for the sticky trap. It is like Eagle Claw - "They hook and they hold!"

buzzmobile

melonhead

Does the color of the card make a difference Buzz? Are the little nasties more attracted to yellow? I like the way you think, be as self sufficient as possible.

__________________
Give me Liberty or Give me Death!

buzzmobile

The bright yellow is the reflected wavelength that attracts the little buggers. Blue cards are also used but I am not familiar with which shade of blue is most effective.

"Make It Don't Buy It"

Hippie Engineering at its finest.

buzzmobile