How do pheromone traps work?
Pheromones are extremely species specific in the way they work. It is essential to get an informed insect ID before using pheromones to attract pest species. After a pheromone has been synthesized in a chemistry lab, it is placed into a delivery device, or lure. These devices come in various forms: rubber septa, hollow fibers, flakes, tape, laminated plastics, membranes over reservoirs, and polyethylene vials with acetate beads. The lure design should deliver the pheromone into the environment in a manner that mimics natural release rates and concentrations of the target insects. Lures vary in duration of effectiveness and distance of attraction due to differences in pheromone load and release rates. Many insects can be overpowered and repelled by too much pheromone. A controlled-release lure will allow the pheromone to be released in small enough concentration to lure the pest into the trap, but strong enough to reach out and attract them in from a useful distance. It is important tha
