Building Double-decker Traps for Early Detection of Emerald Ash Borer

Our goal is do demonstrate how to build, set up, and monitor double-decker traps to detect or monitor low densities of Emerald Ash Borer. Baited double-decker traps, if correctly assembled and positioned, are consistently more effective than any artificial traps at capturing adult Emerald Ash Borer beetles in low density populations. We have conducted Emerald Ash Borer trapping studies in more than 50 locations over the past 8 years.

And this remains the most effective artificial trap design we have tested. Demonstrating the procedure today will be James Wieferich and Andrew Tluczek, both of whom are research technicians in my laboratory. To begin, using a half inch bit, drill a pair of holes into each scored plastic panel, four inches from the top of the panel, and four inches from either side of the left fold.

Next prepare a three meter long, 10 centimeter in diameter, PVC pipe. Using a half inch bit, drill a pair of holes four inches from the top of the PVC pipe and 3.5 inches apart. Align the holes horizontally.

Then drill a second pair of holes, 3.5 inches apart, 52 inches below the top of the pipe, and directly in line with the first set of holes. Now install a T Post at the desired location using a post pounder. Drive the post deep enough so that the flange is just below the soil surface, but there is no need to go any deeper.

Guide wires, or additional supports, are not necessary. Next, fold the plastic panels into thirds. Then feed the two small flaps through the slits.

And use two eight inch cable ties to secure the edges of the panel together, forming a three sided prism. Next, slide the prism onto the PVC pipe and down to the lower set of holes. Then feed a two foot long cable tie through the top left hole of the prism, through the holes on the PVC pipe, and out through the hole on the right side of the prism.

Then close and tighten the cable tie, making sure the cable tie is not twisted. Before proceeding, make sure the prism is tight against the pipe between the holes. Now feed another long cable tie through the bottom hole of the prism, around the pipe, and through the corresponding hole on the adjacent side of the prism.

Tighten this tie like the other. The next step is to attach the green prism to the pipe at the upper set of holes, using the same technique used to attach the purple prism. To apply insect trapping glue to a trap, set the base of the PVC pipe on the ground and prop the inner face of the upper prism on the T Post.

To bait the trap with the lure, look for a small hole near the bottom edge of a panel on the green prism. Then using a four inch cable tie, secure a pouch of SIS 3-Hexanol to the lower edge of the green prism. This lure should last 10 weeks or longer.

Wearing disposable gloves, scoop up two to three handfuls of glue and smear it across the surface of the panel. Thoroughly coat the panel on all three sides, even pre-glued panels often require additional glue to capture EAB beetles. Check traps a two to four week intervals if possible to avoid losing captured beetles which occasionally drop off the traps, especially if heavy rain occurs.

Examine all three sides of the lower prism for EAB beetles. Then, using disposable latex gloves, lift the PVC pipe straight up and off the T Post, and prop the inner face of the prism on the T Post, exposing one panel of both prisms. Then, take the trap off the T Post, prop it on the T Post, and check the upper green prism.

Use forceps to remove any suspect EAB beetles from the prisms and place them in a resealable plastic specimen bag. Flies, Click beetles, and various other insects will inevitably be captured on the traps. It takes a keen eye to spot a EAB beetle.

Rotate the pipe to examine the other panels. Once the trap is fully checked, slide the pipe back over the T Post. Later, soak the possible EAB beetles in a non-toxic histological clearing agent for a day or two to remove the insect trapping glue.

Then, confirm their identity under a dissecting microscope. Overall, the double-decker traps were the most effective at catching EAB beetles. In follow up experiments, the green purple combination proved more effective than the purple purple combination.

After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to set up and check double-decker traps to detect and monitor low density populations of Emerald Ash Borer. These traps are an important aspect of managing Emerald Ash Borer. Early detection provides time to develop and implement effective control and management strategies for this invasive pest.