The Value of Sticky Traps

The Value of Sticky Traps

	Araneae: Loxosceles reclusa: Sticky traps can be part of an effective control program in reducing the numbers of spiders in a home or business. This is a very large female brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa), caught in a sticky trap from a local business.
	Araneae: Loxosceles reclusa: The advantage of sticky traps in a poisonous spider elimination program is that mature adults can be trapped before they meet up and produce lots of little spiders all over your house.
	The effectiveness of sticky traps can be clearly seen. Though these traps are not a means of elimination, they can be used to detect problem areas, and distribution of pests throughout a home. I use them to monitor levels of pest activity and base my control measures on how many, and what type of insects or spiders are caught.
	An adult Smoky Brown Cockroach finds itself in a really sticky situation. These common pests of homes and yards in the South are active nearly year-round, an exception being on very cold days which are few and far between in North Texas.
	A large number of wolf spiders collected from a garage. Poor construction practices and garage doors without good seals, make this area one of the most important points of pest entry into a home. Many recluse spider problems in homes begin in the garage and then spread out to other points in the home as their numbers begin to increase. Use of these traps can afford you a simple, early detection plan.
	These particular sticky traps fold to form a right triangle, with the 90º angle resting flush against the baseboard. Garages, underneath sinks, closets, hot water heaters, and behind appliances are excellent places to place these traps. With a little care, they can also be used in the attic, provided that you take equal care in your footing and your placement of the traps.
	Close up of the Smoky Brown Cockroach. Enough to make some people gag just at the thought, take a close look, it can't jump out and get you; or can it? Heh heh. This one's not going anywhere, and that's the point of using the traps. Not only do you get detection of unseen problems, but that critter that's stuck to the trap is one less in the house. Can't beat that with a can of Raid.