Disposable Bug Traps

Or, A Fly In The Ointment

RecycleBill made his way to his neighborhood feed and seed store today to pick up chicken feed and cracked corn. Sadly, a few months ago my neighborhood feed and seed store moved from town to the burbs where it has transformed itself into a suburban lawn and garden store that just happens to sell animal feeds.

At one end is an area filled with beautiful water hungry plants designed to push us further into drought and a few organic herbs from which I picked, Peppermint, Yarrow, a Variegated Sage and Parsley to plant in my new herb garden along the steep bank in front of my home.

At the other end, not far from where I found the chicken feed I saw disposable plastic bug traps priced at $3-$5 each. Both my long time readers will remember I don't think very highly of plastics or throwing stuff away so I thought I'd tell you how we make our own bug traps from things we rescue from our own garbage.

The example shown is for Japanese Beetles. It consists of a funnel cut from a plastic bottle or jug with a yellow plastic bread bag held on with a rubber band. We use yellow plastic bags because Japanese Beetles seem to be attracted by yellow. A yellow jug also helps. The bait is the same as what you buy for the store bought refillable bug traps. The drain hole is slightly larger than a straight pen. The same design will work for most bugs though different colors and different baits may be needed.

Both homemade and reusable store bought bug traps are in the long term, greener and more economical than disposable bug traps. And the number 1 rule when trying to live green is not to buy disposable anythings.

Now it's back to the garden to transplant some more plants.