Beetle Traps for your yard or farm

 

Materials Needed

  • Plastic bucket or sturdy container (about 1–2 gallons/liters, with lid)

  • Wire or strong cord (for hanging)

  • Tekken netting (1-inch mesh, or similar durable netting)

  • CRB pheromone lure (commercially available as “oryctalure” containing ethyl 4-methyloctanoate)

  • Small UV LED light (optional, but increases trap effectiveness5)

  • Entry funnel or holes (2–3 inches diameter)

  • Drain holes (¼ inch, for rainwater drainage)

  • Bait (optional): Small amount of decaying coconut wood or fiber

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Trap Container

  • Drill or cut 2–3 entry holes (2–3 inches wide) near the top of the bucket/container. These should be large enough for adult beetles to enter but not so large that they easily escape.

  • Drill several small (¼ inch) holes in the bottom for drainage2.

2. Attach Entry Funnel (Optional)

  • If possible, fit a simple funnel (made from plastic or netting) to each entry hole, with the narrow end inside. This makes it harder for beetles to escape.

3. Install the Pheromone Lure

  • Hang the pheromone lure (oryctalure) from the inside of the lid, so it is suspended in the center of the trap125.

  • Replace the lure as directed by the manufacturer (typically every 4–6 weeks).

4. (Optional) Add a UV LED Light

  • Attach a small, battery- or solar-powered UV LED just above or inside the trap. This significantly increases beetle catch rates15.

  • Ensure the light is shielded from rain and direct sun.

5. Add Bait (Optional)

  • Place a small amount of decaying coconut wood, fiber, or palm debris in the bottom to increase attractiveness.

6. Secure the Lid

  • Snap or screw the lid tightly to prevent escape and keep out rain.

7. Attach Hanging Wire

  • Thread strong wire or cord through holes in the rim or handle of the bucket for hanging.

8. Hang the Trap

  • Hang the trap in the crown of the palm tree, as high as safely possible, ideally near where fronds attach to the trunk2. In Sri Lanka and Guam, traps are often suspended from a sturdy frond or branch.

Alternative: “Bow Tie” Netting Trap

  • Cut a 3 ft x 3 ft piece of netting.

  • Place a 2-inch rock or weight in the center.

  • Tie 2–3 knots to form a “bow tie.”

  • Tuck the bow tie into the pockets where palm fronds attach to the trunk throughout the tree top. This passively traps beetles as they try to burrow in2.

Maintenance & Monitoring

  • Check traps weekly for beetles and to replace lures or batteries.

  • Dispose of trapped beetles responsibly (do not release).

  • Clean and rebait as needed.

Tips for Success

  • Place traps in open areas or at the crown, away from dense palm clusters, to maximize attraction23.

  • Use multiple traps for larger trees or groves.

  • Combining pheromone lures with UV light improves effectiveness5.

  • Traps are best for monitoring and early detection, not complete eradication14.

References

  • [USDA Forest Insect and Disease Leaflet 191]1

  • [University of Guam CRB Trapping Methods]2

  • [Hawaii Department of Agriculture CRB Response]4

  • [Hawaiian Entomological Society – UV Light and Pheromone Trapping]5