Setting Up A Box Moth Pheromone Trap
With the increase in problems caused by Box Moths & their caterpillars here is some hopefully helpful information on how to setup a pheromone trap. The traps catch the adult male moths and give a visible indication of that they are in and around your garden. The traps cost around £30 and are available from a number of sellers just search for Box Moth Pheromone Trap
The one shown here was supplied by Topiary Arts to EBTS UK council member Mark Hopkins.
-
- Put about 5cm of water in the bucket of the trap
-
- Clip the lid onto the traps bucket
-
- Twist the lid to lock it into postion
-
- Open a new lure & use the foil to hold the lure (not as shown here)
-
- Using the foil to hold the lure place it on the tip
-
- Place the tip in the lure cage
-
- Place the cage in the lid of the trap
-
- The lure is kept dry by the lid of the trap but air flows round it so that the pheromones can be smelled by the adult male moths
-
- Place the trap at around 30cm from the ground near to box (not as high as shown here)
In most domestic gardens you will probably only need one or two traps (two if you have box plants in the front and back of your property). The recommended density is 4 traps / hectare.
Lures should be changed every 5 weeks with spares kept carefully un-opened in a fridge (lasts 1 year) or freezer (lasts 2 years). Take care when handling them and always wash you hands afterwards.
