Utilizing Borer Traps as an Alternative Pest Control Method
What is it and what did we do?
H
urricane Ivan, a strong category 3 storm, roared ashore
in Northwest Florida on September 16, 2004. With its 130 mph winds
and 13 foot storm surge, the natural areas were significantly impacted.
It has been estimated that Pensacola lost 25% of its tree canopy.
Many remaining trees were severely damaged. Damage included
broken limbs, tops broken out, root trauma and bark knocked off by
debris carried in the storm surge. While the immediate impact of
the storm was visible, latent tree problems were of great concern.
One primary concern was the expected impact of insect borers in the upcoming
years. Since there are few insecticides available to homeowners for borer control, this project was undertaken to access the impact of hardwood borers following widespread tree injury. A main objective was to access the effectiveness of using traps as a control measure. Another objective was to identify and quantify species that are attracted by these
weakened trees.
The project included a formal program with discussions of IPM techniques, the need to scout for borers following hurricanes and instructions on how to preserve and submit captured insects. We made and distributed circle traps to project participants. The circle trap consists of a wire screen cage with a boil weevil trap top and is attached directly to the tree. This trap was recommended by Dr. Russ Mizell. Each project participant received a one-page instruction sheet on trap installation and were shown examples of pinned insects that were of interest.
What was the outcome?
- Twenty Master Gardeners actively participated in the assembly of the circle traps
- Forty-four Master Gardeners attended a program on IPM scouting techniques
- Eighty residents installed and monitored traps on trees in their landscapes
- A total of 192 traps were installed throughout Santa Rosa County.
- Approximately 250 residents attended our 2005 Fall Field Day which highlighted IPM and were introduced to the trap project
- Ten 4H’ers attended a program on tree borers and received instructions on the trapping project.
- Nine 4H’ers installed and monitored traps
- One 4H’er used his trap participation as his high school science project.
- A monthly gardening calendar that outlined proper cultural practices and hi-lighted beneficial insects and IPM practices was created, printed and distributed to county residents.
- Participants actively monitored the traps and returned captured insects.
- Every time insects were returned, the project objectives were reinforced with participants
- Returned insects were identified
- 2000 gardening calendars were printed and distributed to Master Gardeners, county residents and professionals in the green industry.
- 192 traps were actively monitored in Santa Rosa County for a period of 16 months following two strong hurricanes
- From monitored traps, no hardwood boring insect was recovered even on the most damaged trees.
The
people that made this happen include:
- Theresa Friday, Courtesy Agt I/Horticulture, Santa Rosa Co. Extension Dr.
- Russ Mizell, Professor Entomology
- Dan Mullins, Extension Agt IV, Santa Rosa Co. Extension
- Mike Donahoe, County Extension Director, Santa Rosa Co.