Entomology and Plant Pathology

Lady Beetles

Instructions for Multicolored Asian lady beetle trap use

by Dr. Frank A. Hale

H and T Alternative Controls has developed three traps for removing active lady beetles from buildings; the H&T 120, the H&T 360 and the K Tray. The H&T 120 is best used by placing the trap in a corner or along-side a wall so that the attracting blacklight radiates light at a 120 degree angle outward toward the center of the room. The H&T 360 (radiates 360 degrees) is most effective when placed near the center of the room. The K Tray trap is a hanging model. All three traps are effective only at night in the absence of competing light sources, but can be used during daytime if the room is completely dark and unlighted by windows or other light sources. Temperature in the room must be a minimum of 68 degrees, but the trap is most effective if the room temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The traps may be more effective when placed on a table, but they can be used sitting on the floor of the room.

H&T beetle traps are supplied with talcum powder which must be liberally used to coat the surface of the metal baffle in back of the blacklight lamp, the suspended metal shield located beneath the lamp, and the interior walls and bottoms of the plastic collecting containers. This prevents attracted beetles from clinging to the trap surfaces so that they will fall into the upper collecting container and eventually become trapped in the lower container. Once they enter the trap, they cannot escape if talcum powder is used. Avoid coating the blacklight with the talcum.

H&T traps are not designed to kill lady beetles but rather to collect them for removal from the building. To remove beetles from the trap, simply brush any beetles into the lower container, separate the upper container and lamp from the lower container and discard the contents of the lower container by pouring them into a plastic bag.

Three versions of the traps are designed for use only on the inside of building or beneath a covered porch. They are not designed for use out of doors. The smaller H&T 120 model costs $110.00 plus shipping and handling for the 9 lb. trap via priority mail (approximately $9.00). The larger H&T 360 model costs $140.00 plus shipping and handling for the 10 lb. trap via priority mail (approximately $9.00). A hanging model called the K Tray costs $95.00 plus shipping and handling.

H&T Alternative Controls, LLC
606 Ball Street
Perry, Georgia 31069
Phone: 478-988-9412
Fax: 478-988-9413

Links

• Lady Beetle page