How to to Make Your Own Insect Traps

You can make your own alternative to commercial flypaper.

If you have ever had a garden or greenhouse, you know that aphids, white flies and other insects can become a real problem. Buying yellow sticky paper, flypaper or tacky paper can become expensive real fast. You know make your own insect traps as an alternative.

Things You'll Need

• Yellow construction paper
• Twist ties
• Craft stick
• Plastic knife
• Sticky coating
• Petroleum jelly
• Detergent

Instructions

1. Cut a sheet of yellow construction paper -- bright yellow attracts insects -- into four rectangles. You can make more, smaller rectangles if that better serves your pest situation.

2. Poke a hole in the top of each sheet near the middle. Pace a twist tie wire into the hole so that you have a way to hang your finished sticky sheets.

3. Spread a commercial insect-trapping sticky coating such as Stickem or Tanglefoot on the front surface of the paper with a craft stick or plastic knife. Work the material as evenly as possible without getting the material on your fingers or hands. Or make your own adhesive from 1 part petroleum jelly and 1 part household detergent.

4. Hang the tacky paper near plants you wish to protect. Insects are drawn to the yellow paper where they become stuck. When the card is full of insects, discard in regular trash; place another piece of paper over the sticky part to prevent it from getting stuck to the inside of the trash can.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the sticky coating off your hands as it is difficult to remove.

References

• Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities: Insect Pest Management in the Home Vegetable Garden
• University of California IPM Online: Whiteflies