Helps prevent damage to trees from crawling insects and helps to control invasive species such as the spotted lanternfly and gypsy moths.

Instructions for use:

• Measure circumference of tree between 3-5 feet above the ground.
• Cut length of roll needed with scissors.
• Wrap band tightly against tree with sticky side facing OUT. Secure band with push pins or stick it to itself.
• Change band approximately every two weeks, or as needed when band gets too full.
• Dispose of in a sanitary manner.

Helpful tips:

Band is easier to attach with 2 people, particularly on larger trees.

For Spotted Lanternfly trapping, we recommend bands be installed when spotted lanternfly eggs hatch, from late April through June, for the greatest success rate. During this time, spotted lanternflies are in their nymph stage and must crawl on tree trunks to get to food sources.

To help limit unintended target catch, we strongly recommend the use of a wildlife barrier.

Instructions for making one can be found here.

When using sticky bands, it is important to check them every day. If you capture an animal, do not attempt to free it by yourself. You may put the animal and yourself in danger. If you wish to try to save the animal, cover any exposed sticky material with plastic wrap or tissue paper to reduce additional entanglement, remove the band from the tree as carefully as possible, and take the animal to a wildlife rehabilitation center. To find a center, see the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators website.

If bands inadvertently get stuck to pets or skin, adhesive can be removed with vegetable oil.

Non-toxic, mess free adhesive.
EPA Est. # 59072-NJ-001

RODENT GLUE TRAPS

There are several different styles of glue traps, the most common being a trap that can be used either flat or folded into a box and/or a tent. These instructions are general based on this common design. Please refer to your glue trap packaging or contact a professional pest control operator if you need instructions tailored to a specific glue trap.

USE:

For all options, the first step is to remove the release liner covering the glue. For best results, always try to pull from a corner in one fast, smooth motion. Try not to stop pulling midway through, as it can be difficult to get the release liner going again. If you are having a difficult time removing a release liner, pop it in the freezer for a few seconds and it will pull right off!

1. Using as a flat trap – best option if you don’t have kids or pets around that might easily step on it. TIP: if there is a perforation along the length of the trap, either tear off or fold up to bring the edge of the glue surface closer to the edge of the wall. This is particularly helpful in catching mice!
2. Using as a folded trap – if you are putting your glue traps in a space that typically has a lot of dust and/or debris, such as an attic, crawlspace, or a basement, you will have better results folding the trap to keep the glue more covered – too much dust can make the trap become less effective. Traps typically have scored lines to fold on, and a tab and lot closure. TIP: make sure you place your folded trap along the edge so both ends are open and a mouse is able to enter it like a tunnel!
3. For outdoor use – We don’t typically recommend a homeowner use a rodent glue trap outside, due to the increased risk of unintended wildlife catch. If you must use outdoors, we recommend putting your glue traps into a reusable protective housing, such as Kness’s Stick-All Mouse and Insect Trap. Learn more here.

PLACEMENT:

Glue traps should be placed flush against the wall in areas where you have seen rodent activity. No additional bait is needed on a glue trap. You can also place traps under large appliances and inside cabinets, but avoid placing them in corners, as they work best when placed along a well-traveled path. You are more likely to have better results if you use multiple glue traps, just be sure to space them about 2 to 3 feet apart. If using outdoors, we recommend placing the glue trap in a protective covered housing, which can then be placed along the edges of fences, along the foundation of a house or shed, or near trash cans.

DISPOSAL:

If you are using a glue trap, it should be monitored regularly, and disposed of as soon as feasibly possible after a catch in order to avoid attracting additional pests.

1. Protect your hands. The number one reason we need pest control is to mitigate the spread of diseases carried by insects and rodents. If there is anything trapped in the glue, make sure to wear disposable gloves when handling it. If you are handing a trap with a live rodent, thicker gloves are recommended to protect you from potential bites
2. If there is a live rodent on it, and you want to end its suffering prior to disposal, the most humane way at this point is to be quick and efficient about it. You can place the trap into a bag and give it a swift hit with something heavy. If the rodent is already dead (which generally happens within 24 hours after becoming trapped), you can simply pick up the trap, drop it in a bag along with the disposable gloves, and dispose of it in regular household garbage, along with the disposable gloves.
3. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling a glue trap.

How to Create a Wildlife Barrier for a Spotted Lanternfly Sticky Band Trap

Many residents attempt to control spotted lanternflies by placing sticky bands on tree trunks. This method of trapping should never be used without a wildlife barrier.

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect first detected in the United States in 2014. Its feeding habits threaten Pennsylvania’s natural ecosystems, landscapes, and agriculture—including the grape, tree-fruit, hardwood, and nursery industries.

Trapping Spotted Lanternfly

There are a variety of options for SLF management, but one way to kill a lot of SLF without using insecticides is to trap them. The immature lanternflies (called nymphs) are often blown out of the canopy of the trees where they are feeding. Nymphs then walk to the trunk of trees and climb back up to start feeding again. We can take advantage of this predictable behavior of the nymphs by using traps to catch them as they climb up trees.

Wildlife Barriers a Necessity with Sticky Band Traps

Sticky bands placed around tree trunks have been found to trap both spotted lanternfly nymphs and—to some extent—adult spotted lanternflies. Trapping unintended targets, including songbirds and beneficial insects, is a major drawback to this method of control. If a resident decides to use a sticky band trap, they should use a wildlife barrier, which greatly reduces the chances of catching non-target wildlife. A wildlife barrier will not completely eliminate the possibility of a sticky band capturing an animal or beneficial insect, but it may reduce the likelihood and using a wildlife barrier is a good practice. (Circle traps are an alternative to sticky bands and are less likely to capture birds and some other creatures.)

How to Create a Wildlife Barrier

Residents have used flypaper, duct tape, and other tacky materials to create a sticky band around a tree to capture spotted lanternflies.  Initially, chicken wire was thought to be an adequate wildlife barrier, but this is no longer recommended since the mesh size does not prohibit access by small birds and beneficial insects. Here are instructions for creating an effective wildlife barrier:

• Materials—flexible window screening and push pins.
• Cut a strip of window screening that is at about one-and-a-half times the diameter of the tree and about three times as wide as the sticky trap.
• Attach the window screening to the tree above the sticky band with push pins, pleating it as you attach it so that it stands out from the tree and does not stick to the band.
• Attaching the screen to the tree with tacks

Additional Steps to Prevent Unintended Wildlife Catch

• Place the sticky band tightly against the tree, so that wildlife cannot get caught underneath it.
• Making the sticky band narrow, about 5 inches or less, will reduce the chances of catching wildlife other than spotted lanternflies.
• Check the sticky band every day.
• If you capture an animal, do not attempt to free it by yourself, so that you do not endanger yourself or the animal. Cover the exposed sticky material with plastic wrap or tissue paper and carefully remove the entire band from the tree. Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center.

When deciding to use trapping to control spotted lanternflies, consider the fact that traps may kill a large number of SLF, however, they do not prevent new infestations. A sticky band trap may be an effective method to protect a particular tree in the landscape but should never be erected without the use of a wildlife barrier.

Authors

Emelie Swackhamer
Senior Extension Educator, Green Industry

Amy Korman
Extension Educator, Green Industry

Lois Miklas
Former Area Master Gardener Coordinator
Pennsylvania State University

Read the full article here.