As said above, sticky traps are more intended as a monitoring tool for commercial growers, particularly for glass-house/high tunnel growing. I've only used them in a glasshouse so I don't know about the effect of rain. In all honesty, I find it's more accurate and just as easy to have a look at the plants regularly. You can still pick up problems early if you're observant, and you won't get stressed out by false positives - by that I mean that just because an insect species is on your sticky trap doesn't mean it's going to be a problem in your garden, especially if you have some diversity in your garden and encourage beneficials. If you're gardening on a very large scale, of course that's a bit different. Sticky traps might be just the thing for you. But remember, you still need to be able to identify the insects on them, otherwise you're none the wiser whether they're good, bad or benign, and you won't know what control measures to apply. So you'll need to invest in a good magnifying instrument and a good book on pest insect identification with a key that you can use easily.

Howdy Alan. "Spiders eat live prey." Like me? LOL Alan, do you handle insects without wearing gloves? Oohhh. I had some doubts about baiting spiders..You're right, they're not like roaches..set food inside a trap, and like motels, they won't check out. Fears are inherited from our parents/guardians. My mother would scream when a spider, well, almost any insect got in the house. She wasn't afraid of lighting bugs, butterfly's, etc, neither am I..she detested moths..bird seed (we have plenty,) attracts moths. Thank goodness, moths don't worry me. Alan, how many different types of house spiders are there? Did you know IL had Black Widows? I had NO idea..In 1994, I worked in a retail plant store. One day, my manager (she knew my love of spiders,) walked in and said, Hey Toni, do you want to see a BW? I thought she was joking..Sure enough, on the side of the building, a BW resided..A co-worker said they lived in his yard..He lives in Chicago!!! I couldn't believe it..So, out of curiosity, I phoned the Chicago Public Library for verification, asked if they'd check, and sure enough, I was informed BW's were documented living in the midwest. And other cold climate states. I'll never forget this. My grandmother bought a bunch of bananas. As she pulled one off, stuck to the peel was a dead Banana Spider. This happened years ago. Why did you wife's doctor think the spider was a Recluse? Does he have a phobia? LOL. Alan, how on earth do you remember each spider/insect known to man, latin names? If this is too personal, you dont have to answer, but I was wondering if you've travelled to places like the Amazon searching for insects. I have to scroll up to see what your occupation is. I'd have to ask my friend, Cindy, how she or whomever concluded she was bitten by a Recluse. Both people who were bitten happened to be in a country-like atmosphere. She has a summer house about 70 miles southwest of Chicago. The second person who was bitten is a friend/co-worker of my husband. I hope your wife is okay, Alan..did you charge your wife's doctor a co-pay for analyzing his spider? LOL Spiders eat Praying Mantis? You're kidding? I'd imagine a large spider would be capable, but what about small to mid sized? I don't want to harm a Mantis. Alan, nope, EW's don't amount to much, especially since you mentioned they eat new foliage. No wonder my Croton has newly bitten leaves. The Croton is on a table..one of the spots I mentioned when you lift a pot numerous EW's take off. Do you know if they're nocturnal? Thanks for the info..You are a true-blue, knowledgeable insect-person. LOL. Sarah, if I hadn't scrolled up to search for something Alan wrote, I wouldn't have seen your post.. Well, next time/if, ants find a way in, I know what to do. Thanks so much. What happens to the ants when you set out the cotton? Does it kill them or keep them out? I dont know what essential oil is..What is it? You fear crickets? Really? I love when they sing at night, while lying in bed, but if one hopped on me, I'd probably fall on my, behind..LOL..Between spiders and crickets, I'd rather deal with crickets. Are crickets the only insect you fear? What about grasshoppers? Is it their appearance that troubles you, or the fact they hop/jump? If it's the hopping, what would you if you saw a Jumping Spider? Sorry, I don't know the Latin names. Oh Sarah, your cats are sooo pretty..Beautiful in fact. The Calaco, Ugs, (LOL, that name) colors are so pronounced. Luna's a nice name..Did you adopt during a full moon? (S) I'm happy you found and adopted Ug. What color are her eyes. Nerd's huge, green eyes are inviting. Are they lap cats? Purr loud? We had a Catalina Macaw (21 yrs.) His name was Zelda, (talk about names,) he was a surgically sexed male. We got Zelda when he was 6 months old, if that. After his 15th year with us, he changed, grew violent. Not a little violent, a lot. He turned against me. Every morning, while I was sleeping, he'd walk in the bedroom and bite. Everyday I'd wake dripping w/blood. One day while walking in the LR, he charged, bit the skin between my toes. To this day, my toes are split. Meaning when I stand, my toes are shaped like a 'V.' The conclusion, he 'flew' on my face, held onto my skin..he wouldn't let go. I was spinning around, and still he wouldn't loosen his grip. Their powerful beak ranges 4-5," maybe more.. That was it. I know a few women in charge of Illinois bird shows/fairs. They adopt unwanted/abused birds. Zelda wasn't abused at all, though when he woke me, I was afraid when half asleep, I'd strike out and hurt him. We took him to the vet for a physical before thinking about putting him up for adoption..the vet said he was going through sexual frustration. He was seeking a mate. Since he didn't want me touching anyone, including our son, he attacked me. We ended up putting him up for adoption..I was so darn depressed, but there wasn't any other choice. A single, lonely man adopted him; the two get along great. I keep tabs on Zelda but not allowed to visit. After 21 years, he might remember who we are, which might cause problems..I understand their rules. If anyone asks about adopting a bird larger than a love bird, (unless they live in a warm climate and/or have more than one bird) my advice is to look for a smaller parrot or move to a sub-tropical area. Birds need company, attention, and healthy foods..Bird seed isn't adequate. No siree-bob. They need fruit and veggies on a daily basis..they can't be locked in a cage 24/7. Around 5 years of age, birds go through sexual maturity. At that time, they need a lot of attention, bond, or else they'll eat your walls, furniture, and rip anything they feel will make appropriate nesting.. Budgies and Cockatiels are good size. They're smart, learn to whistle an entire song, and even talk. Males are vocal, females affectionate. Speaking of phobias, there are a good number of people who fear birds..Maybe they'd seen Alfred Hitchcock's, The Birds movie..LOl.. Sarah, do your cats eat/bother your plants? Do they have a favorite? Toni

plantladyco - thanks for the name. I was just on their website and only found the fly traps i didn't see the mosquito dunks. I'm trying to avoid paying 2 shipping charges at different suppliers. any other ideas?

Hi! I have plenty of them to spare. I am overwhelmed at your trade list! Please have a look at my lists: the URL is http://www.gardenweb.com/members/exch/healing32eire . I have, at a minimum, from your wants list: Variegated trees/vines Unusual trees/shrubs/vines Spineless succulents and cacti I'll email this as well. Oh, and have you tried laying the sticky traps flat (horizontally) on the ledge of the pots? In our tests here at our arboretum we found it most successful at ridding us of fungus gnats. Let me know how many you need! Red Willow Caudiciforms