Method #8: pan trap

Pan traps are a brightly coloured open container half filled with water with a few drops of surfactant (e.g. dishwashing liquid) to help capture insects. Yellow, white or blue ice cream containers make good pan traps.

Pan traps simulate flowers and usually catch flower visiting insects like pollinators.

Place them in a sunny aspect near flowering plants

Insects will need to be removed daily or they will start degrading so it is important to get a photo before insects deteriorate.

Leave your trap out until you have collected 3 different specimens >5mm (1/5th inch) in length.

Remember to keep your pan trap active just long enough to catch the insects you need.

Mike Bowie (@ecoman) has made a handy YouTube video showing you what to do.

Posted on April 25, 2020 01:58 AM by jon_sullivan