Welcome!

This manual is designed to provide the information necessary to be an effective and efficient trapper. This is your handbook - feel free to highlight and make notes as you wish. Remember, the information presented here is not a substitute for your trapping coordinator. Please call your Trapping Coordinator when questions or problems arise.

You are the most important person in this survey. Record the location of the trap on your maps, enter the trap data in a survey notebook, check the traps and record the associated data, and remove the traps at the end of the season. You will also be taking GPS readings of each trap location at trap set, check, and removal.

Supplies:

Trapper Manual including Trap Placement Record Sheets

1 stapler and box of staples

1 staple gun and box staples

1 Trapper Gadget and associated equipment

1 GPS unit to be used as a backup in extreme emergencies (may or may not receive)

1 magnetic sign

Delta traps and/or Milk Carton Traps

Delta trap pheromone and/or vapona strips for Milk Carton traps

Maps

Permanent Markers or Wax Pencils

To Get Paid:

Download your data weekly to JD so that we can verify the data for invoicing.

Trap Placement Record Sheet:

For EVERY trap you are to address (whether placed or omitted) in your bid unit area you must enter that information on the Trap Placement Record sheet.

Trap Data:

You must download and send your “gadget” data to JD Loan () EVERY week! If you don’t send your data that week, expect a phone call and possibly a visit as to why you didn’t send it. You will not be paid for those traps placed until the data is received.

Equipment Return:

All equipment must be returned at the end of the trapping season. If not, your final payment will not be processed until all equipment is returned.


Milk Carton Trap Assembly

This trap is made of the same coated paperboard. The lure is the same but this trap is for areas with a larger moth population. The trap has a hanging pesticide strip also called a Vapona strip. These traps can be assembled at home excluding the Vapona strip. This is toxic – DO NOT assemble traps with Vapona – ever – vapors will leak out of a trunk and garbage bags in summer heat.

Step by step instructions

  1. Take one trap and one hood. Unfold, bend at creases & punch out all holes. Figure 1
  2. Close the bottom flaps of the trap body. Fasten with stapler. Tape bottom with masking tape, rain sometimes warps these traps. Trap site number from maps/gadget will be written when placing trap at site. Figure 2
  3. Slide hood (shiny side up) over the body from the top until go below the slits. Slide hood back upwards so the tabs on the hood go into the slits. Staple the hood tabs to the body. Figure 3
  4. Staple lure inside trap. Figure 4
  5. AT THE TRAP SITE – open Vapona/Pesticide – do not touch with bare hands – use gloves or handle packaging only when opening with scissors. Run 2 (for strength) plastic 12 inch twist ties through trap then Vapona, then back through trap. Figure 5
  6. Fold flaps over on trap with pour spout pushed out. Staple securely. Pour spout will be opened at inspections, moths poured out in bucket to be counted and trap re-stapled shut. Figure 6

Figure 1Figure 2Figure 3

Figure 4Figure 5Figure 6

SETTING TRAPS

General Instructions

You will be using the set of maps supplied to you. Before starting out each day, determine your route, penciling directions on you map if this helps. Feel free to write on your maps. Please work systematically so you don’t skip any sites. Have a supply of twice your daily recommend traps (30-60) ready at all times.

The circles are your target set areas. Traps must be placed within the target circle on the maps. Traps do not need to be placed in the center of the circle.However, try to keep an even spacing between traps so the correct trap density is intact.Maintaining a good grid with properly spaced traps, even in areas where access and terrain along with time constraints dictate a less than perfect grid, will result in better data and help us locate startup gypsy moth populations. If you cannot set the trap within the target circle, set the trap as close to the circle as possible. If there is absolutely no site available in the grid enter an omit trap code and move on. You must contact the Trapping Coordinator when you are omitting sites.

You will be balancing the time it takes to get to the trap with the time available to set all your traps. If you have any delimit traps in your trapping area, they are high priority due to the history of moth catches so they should be the first set. In the course of setting traps you will likely find that some of the traps that appear to be inaccessible are actually fairly easy to get to since the maps don’t have all the roads or trails that are actually there. By knowing how many traps you need to set per day you can plan daily routes that will allow you to complete your route in the limited number of days allowed for trap set.

Mark the location of the traps you set on the maps.

Enter the appropriate data including Trap ID, Date, GPS coordinates, a quick sketch of the area and any additional notes. The survey notebook should always reflect correct and accurate trap location information.

Remember: Hang the trap first and then do the paper work!!

Dealing with Property/Business Owners

If placing a trap near or on private property, always try to obtain permission to place a trap. NEVER knock on a property owner’s door before 7:00 a.m.

  1. Identify yourself.
  2. Briefly explain your purpose, show the trap. You may say something like, “Hi, I’m with the University of Kentucky and we are conducting a state-wide survey to detect gypsy moths. I’d like to put this trap on your oak tree for the rest of the summer. Here is a brochure for you to keep with information about gypsy moth. The trap is not harmful to you or your pets. I’ll be checking the trap in about a month and taking it down sometime in August.”
  3. If they refuse, thank them for their time and move on.
  4. Ask resident not to move the trap to a new location if they allow access.
  5. If no one is home, and the location is acceptable, leave a door hanger notice with a GM brochure stapled to the back. Place door hanger inside screen or storm door if possible. Note: IT IS ILLEGAL TO LEAVE NOTICE IN A MAILBOX!

Try to answer any questions homeowners have concerning the program in a limited amount of time. Too much conversation can cause you to fall behind in your schedule. Questions about other plant pests, plants, pesticides, etc. (even if you know the answer) should be referred to the local county extension agent.

Trap placement

  1. Always try to place a trap for every grid location on your map. If there are no roads that reach the targeted area, choose a location from your map that would get you as close as possible. Set the trap there.
  2. A trap should be placed at “high-risk”sites if they are within a target circle. These sites include mobile homes, trailer parks, resorts, campgrounds, RV parks or anywhere else you would expect interstate shipment or movement of outdoor materials.
  3. In urban situations, avoid high traffic areas. Traps tend to draw attention. When located in conspicuous places, there is a greater risk of vandalism or destruction.
  4. Gypsy moths generally move with people and favor residential areas.
  5. Once you’ve found the general trap location on your map, carefully consider these points to pinpoint the exact location:
  6. Air circulation: Traps are baited with a sex pheromone that is dispersed by the wind. Make certain there is adequate air circulation and avoid hanging trap in dense foliage. This also assures a clear flight path to the trap for the male moths.
  7. Sunlight: Avoid placing the trap where it will be exposed to direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time. Sunlight will break down the laminated exterior of the trap and may decrease the effective life of the pheromone strip. Think open shade or north sides of trees
  8. Wooded situations: Place the trap on the edge or corner of the woodlot rather than deep in the interior. Gypsy moths tend to favor edges and corners
  9. Hanging height: Place the trap on a tree at chest height (4-5 feet off the ground) and on the north side of the tree. This is optimal trapping height and allows for easier inspection during trap checks. Once you’ve stapled the trap, flip it up once or twice to make sure it stays up.
  10. Double-check to be sure the trap contains a pheromone strip.

Complete one map at a time. Do not skip around!

Examples of Trap Placement

Where NOT to set traps

Traps placed at the following sites are often missing or damaged before the trapping season is over:

  1. On school property or along paths where children walk to school
  2. Places where children play
  3. In parks or picnic areas at sites where people can see the trap
  4. On properties with vicious dogs or “Beware of Dog” signs
  5. On properties with "For Sale" signs or construction underway
  6. At sites behind gates; the gate may be locked next time
  7. Where animals such as cattle or horses can disturb the trap
  8. On extremely dusty roads
  9. In the middle of dense foliage
  10. At sites that cannot be accurately described
  11. At sites where road construction is scheduled or in progress
  12. On branches of trees and shrubs overhanging roads
  13. On trees in parking lots
  14. On side of host tree facing public sidewalks or streets
  15. On trees marked for cutting or removal

Labeling traps in the field

Be sure to record the trap number on the trap exactly as it is printed on your map. Also put the date you set/check/remove the trap. This means MONTH/DAY/YEAR.

Example:ALEXA01786/1/14

7/4/14

7/29/14

Traps should be marked using a black wax/grease pencil or permanent marker. Use the trap number from the corresponding trap location on your map. DO NOT number traps ahead of time.

Once the trap is set, enter the information in Trapper Gadget and immediately complete the paperwork for the trap BEFORE moving on to the next trap location.

**Be sure to mark on your field maps the exact placement of the trap associated with the pre-determined site number.

Filling out your Trap Placement Sheet

  1. Trap number: Enter the corresponding trap information from the Trapper Gadget: i.e. ALEXA0002 with ‘ALEXA’ written in the QUAD CODE section and ‘0002’ written in the Trap ID section.
  2. Placement & Inspection date: Enter the month and day you set/checked/removed the trap. The year should already be printed.
  3. GPS reading for trap placement: Enter the UTM Coordinates from the Trapper Gadget; UTME (UTM Easting) and UTMN (UTM Northing).
  4. Comments: Additional information about trap location.
  5. Draw a simple map location of the site: Self explanatory. But other suggestions include:
  6. Name of road on which trap is set.
  7. Reference to nearest road or intersection (include mileage recorded in tenths of miles)
  8. Direction and distance off road
  9. House number
  10. Color of house or building
  11. Include recognizable landmark such as mailbox, sign, bridge, power lines, fire hydrant, etc.
  12. Always indicate the side of street trap is on
  13. Omitted Traps
  14. Record the trap number and write the word “OMIT” in the Comments area and circle the correct omit reason code listed in Trapper Gadget.
  15. Omit Codes
  16. L- Landowner denied access
  17. O- Obstacle prohibited access
  18. W- Inaccessible terrain- too wet
  19. R- Inaccessible terrain- too rough or steep
  20. V-Inaccessible terrain- vegetation too thick or crop fields
  21. S- Safety hazard
  22. H- No structure on which to hang trap
  23. REMEMBER: Hang the trap first and then do the paper work!!

What does it all mean?

You may wondered what that trap number means that you see in trapper gadget and written on your data sheet. Here is a breakdown of what the numbers represent:

Example 1: ALEXA0002D

Example 2: ALEXA0002OR

  1. QUAD ABBREVIATIONwill be entered in position 1-5 (i.e. ALEXA). Quad abbreviations are predetermined and marked on each of your field maps. For quad abbreviations shorter than 5 characters a space holder is utilized (i.e. LOAD 0001D)
  2. SITE NUMBERwill be entered in position 6-9 (i.e. 0002). Site numbers are predetermined and marked on each of your field maps. The site numberis unique within each quad.
  3. TRAP TYPE will be entered in position 10.
  4. D- Delta trap
  5. M-Milk carton trap
  6. O- Omitted site
  7. OMIT REASON will be entered in position 11. You should have VERY few omitted sites.
  8. L- Landowner denied access
  9. O- Obstacle prohibited access
  10. W- Inaccessible terrain- too wet
  11. R- Inaccessible terrain- too rough or steep
  12. V- Inaccessible terrain- vegetation too thick or crop fields
  13. H- No structure on which to hand trap
  14. S- Safety hazard

Delimit sites should have very few or no traps outside the target circle these traps should be hiked in rather than set outside the target circle.

** This numbering system is used for all trap densities.

CHECKING TRAPS
(At the discretion of the supervisor)

General Instructions

After your traps are set and at the discretion of the supervisor, trap check will begin at the instruction of the Trapping Supervisor.

  1. Check high risk sites – delimit grid maps FIRST and multiple times as your route allows!! You do not have to contact the property owner during trap check. Have a supply of traps ready to use as replacements.
  2. Complete one area at a time.
  3. Do not remove trap from the tree, simply open one side of the trap for a good check. If there is a gypsy moth in the trap or if it is missing, covered with dust, insects or spiders, damaged, on the ground, or the lure is stuck in the sticky material, replace the trap. Remember to number the replacement trap the same as the original and with an “R” for replacement.
  4. Take another Gadget reading and immediately complete all paperwork for trap.
  5. Indicate on your map that you have checked that trap.
  6. If suspect moth is found, compare it to the photographs and samples provided to you. If you suspect that you have a male gypsy moth:
  7. Report the first male moth find, in each area, to your Supervisor. This information is used to alert other trappers that male moth flight has begun.
  8. Replace trap if it’s a Delta and meet with your Supervisor ASAP to confirm this is a male Gypsy Moth
  9. Go on to the next trap and repeat.
  10. At the end of every day, feel free to download your data – but expect it to be processed on a weekly basis.

Replacing Traps

A trap must be replaced for any of the following reasons:

  1. Suspect gypsy moth in trap: Replace all traps at the beginning that contain a suspect moth with a fresh trap. Number the trap with its previous number, followed by an “R” for replacement and date the trap.
  2. Missing trap:Make absolutely sure that the trap is missing. The first time you check your traps you may think a lot of them are missing. Some of them may be on the ground or you won’t find them right away. Look around a bit to determine if the trap is actually missing.
  3. Damaged traps:
  4. Dirty or damaged trap - ripped or torn to the extent that a male gypsy moth would not be retained in the trap if one flew in, or the sticky material is covered with dust, dirt or other materials that jeopardize the integrity of the trap.
  5. Full of insects or spiders
  6. Lure strip immersed in sticky material
  7. Bird or other animal in the trap - When the trap is properly constructed and closed this should not happen. However, there are some persistent critters out there that will find their way into the trap!

Protocol for replacing traps:

  • Copy all information from the original trap to the new trap adding an “R” for replacement.
  • Hang the new trap in the exact location as the old trap and date the trap.
  • Record in your notebook the date and reason that the trap was replaced.
  • DELTA TRAPS THAT ARE MISSING AT MIDSEASON CHECK SHOULD BE REPORTED AS ‘DAMAGED’ THEN A NEW TRAP SHOULD BE HUNG
  • MILK CARTON TRAPS THAT ARE MISSING AT MIDSEASON CHECK SHOULD BE REPORTED AT ‘MISSING’ AND MARKED AS A ‘FINAL’ CHECK – DO NOT REPLACE MILK CARTON TRAPS

Landowner Refusal

Removing or replacing unwanted traps

You may be instructed to return to a site to remove a trap or you may be notified (possibly by the homeowner) that the trap has been destroyed. If possible, locate an available site nearby and reset the trap.

  • Record the changes in your survey notebook and map records.
  • If trap can’t be reset, mark notebook and map location with an “O” (Omitted site)

Note: If a landowner instructs you to remove the trap or indicates that it has been destroyed, highlight this location on your map and let your Supervisor know. Record as much information about the site as possible, including address.This information will help us avoid hostile situations for future trappers.