Sticky Traps for Insect Prevention

The Better Farming Desk

In Bihar, the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides is being held responsible for many diseases today. Therefore, efforts are being made to curb its use. As a result, many farmers are unclear about what to do to protect their crops from pests. Here, we are informing you about a technique known as sticky traps.

1. The cost is much lower than that of pesticides:Pests that damage crops are attracted to certain specific colors. A sticky trap is a thin sheet of a special color that attracts pests, causing them to stick to it and die. Using sticky traps can reduce the cost of chemical pesticides by about 65 to 70 percent. The use of sticky traps is quite effective in vegetable crops, gardening, kitchen gardens, polyhouse farming, and greenhouse farming.

1. Use yellow sticky traps to prevent harmful pests:Dr. R. P. Singh, a plant protection expert from the Agriculture Science Centre (KVK), Narkatiaganj, West Champaran, Bihar, told 'The Better Farming' that yellow sticky traps are commonly used to catch flying insects such as whiteflies, leaf-eating pests, aphids, thrips, fruit flies, leafhoppers, and leaf miners. This is because insects that feed on pollen are often attracted to yellow flowers. This is why some insects are drawn towards yellow and get trapped in the sticky traps. These sticky traps can be used for pest control in houseplants, vegetables, fruits, flowers, mustard, etc.

1. Capture these insects with a blue sticky trap:Dr. R. P. Singh stated that blue sticky traps are also used to catch flying pests like leafhoppers, cucumber beetles, and flies. However, these blue sticky traps are more effective in trapping these pests. The blue color is particularly effective in controlling pests like thrips, which damage flowers and vegetables and suck their sap.

1. Control these insects with black and white traps:According to Dr. R. P. Singh, white sticky traps are used to control flea beetles, pest insects, red mites, thrips, and other flying and sap-sucking insects. These insects are typically found in fruits and vegetables. Black sticky traps are used in home gardens to attract and control pests such as tomato pinworms, whiteflies, aphids, fruit flies, and thrips. They are mainly used to control pests on tomatoes.

1. Learn where to place red sticky traps:Sticky traps are used to control leafhoppers, spider mites, broad mites, and gall midges. They are often used in greenhouses and indoor gardens. In a one-acre crop, 10 to 15 sticky traps are used.

1. You can also make sticky traps at home:If you want to make a sticky trap at home, you can prepare the trap by applying ready oil or Mobil oil on a colorful polyethylene sheet. Depending on your needs, it costs around 15-20 rupees to make sticky traps in yellow, blue, black, white, and red. Prices vary in the market according to different companies. In the market, a packet of 10 pieces costs around 250 rupees, and a packet of 25 pieces costs up to 500 rupees. It is also available online.

1. Precautions while using sticky traps:Place sticky traps in such a way that they collect and destroy as many pests as possible. Wash your hands with soap before placing the traps to ensure that the scent of tobacco or other chemicals does not affect them. Change the traps after 20 to 25 days. Make sure to position the traps 1 to 2 feet above the height of the crop.