Light Traps and Killing Agents

[Leptraps at aol.com]

Charles Bird:

I have been designing, fabricating, and using the traps that I make for over 
twenty years. I have also seen, repaired and/or modified the vast majority of 
all types of light traps that have been produces/sold.  This includes: 
BioQuip, Agri-lite, Newell, American Biotech, and numerous homemade traps. So 
I have some experience with light traps. 

The best killing agents for light traps are no longer available. Cyna-Gas, 
Cyna-fume, and Calcium Cyanide Canisters. I have tried just about everything. 
Some work better than others. However, for the best all around results and 
availability, Ethel Acetate is by far the best. I have never had specimens 
dry-out or become brittle. I use 1/2 pint round steel cans. I punch a 7/8" 
round hole in the top and insert a wick made from cellulose sponge material. 
I use two cans per trap. I also use a wind baffle to limit wind swirl in the 
trap. Wind swirl will virtually blow the Ethel Acetate fumes out of the trap. 
(wind is a problem regardless of the killing agent). When I am down sorting a 
trap, I squeeze out the sponges and return excess liquids to my storage 
container, I simply put the cans and wicks in an old net bag, hang them out 
the back door of my van, a short drive later, they I dried out and I do not 
have the smell of Ethel Acetate in my van. 

Vapona does not knock down insects very well unless you use several pounds of 
the stuff. It will also attack the plastic and damage metal components that 
are not stainless steel or aluminum. Vapona is not healthy. The stuff gives 
me gas and that is more dangerous than vapona!

Let me know your result. I do not know it all and learn new things about 
light trapping all the time.

If you are interested in a great light trap, send me a snail mail address and 
I will send you a brochure.

Cheers,

Leroy C. Koehn
6085 Wedgewood Village Circle
Lake Worth, FL 33463-7371
Hm: 561-966-1655
Cell: 561-301-4215
E-mail: Leptraps at aol.com