Pheromone traps are ideal as an early warning system. Most insects communicate by releasing molecular quantities of a highly specific compound known as pheromones. Of the different types of pheromones insects produce, two are currently utilized in insect monitoring systems. The first is a sex pheromone that will draw only the male insect toward the pheromone lure. The other is an aggregation pheromone that attracts both male and female insects of the same species. In addition to the pheromones, food attractants and trap design greatly enhance the ability of monitoring systems to capture targeted insect species. Oil based food attractants placed in the bottom of a Storgard ª/Flite Trakª pit fall trap are attractive to both larvae and adults. Once the insects fall into the traps they are suffocated by the oil. Hanging traps are designed with a sticky surface to be used in conjunction with the appropriate pheromone lure.

Typical monitoring systems are set up in a grid pattern with traps placed 20 to 60 feet apart. Traps utilizing aggregation pheromones can be placed 20 to 30 feet apart, while traps utilizing sex pheromones can be placed 50 to 60 feet apart. Once insect infestation areas are targeted, tighten the grid, as needed, in order to pinpoint the source of an infestation. Traps should also be placed in areas where there has been a previous insect problem as well as any hard to reach areas that may have /Product spillage. Each trap should be numbered and its placement indicated on a map of the facility. Traps should be checked on a regular basis and a record kept which details the date of placement as well as any insect activity. Lures should be replaced according to manufacturers recommendations and replaced if they become dirty, dusty or full of insects. It is recommended that traps not be placed near outside entrances as naturally occurring populations outside may be drawn into the facility. However, one may place an Indian-meal moth (IMM) trap 50 feet from any access door to estimate external population pressures.

Treceª has eliminated most storage problems by packaging its lures in a virtually impermeable foil packet, under an inert atmosphere. However, this does not keep the pheromone lures from "aging" somewhat over time. This aging may decrease the efficacy of some of our pheromone lures. Therefore, it has become necessary to provide our valued customers with storage recommendations for maintenance of the highest possible attraction of our lures.