Database

Hang bark beetle pheromone traps in the forest

Habitat	Function	Type of work
Forest	High-quality timber	Bark beetle control

Biological techniques and tools should be preferred to prevent forest damage and to control its spread. The use of non-biological plant protection products on forest land is only allowed in justified cases.

Description of the action

To reduce spruce bark beetle damage, pheromone traps can be placed in the forest. Place pheromone traps at least 15-20m away from middle-aged and older spruces to prevent beetles from damaging the spruces. The spruce bark beetle begins its flight in spring when birches start to leaf out, and the second flight begins in mid-July. Therefore, place pheromone traps in the forest with the arrival of warm weather in spring (around mid-April) and after Midsummer Day. Clean pheromone traps of dead and captured beetles weekly (the smell of dead beetles acts more as a repellent).

Why?

Using pheromone traps is a preventive method to keep spruce bark beetles away from middle-aged and older spruce forests, though it is not highly effective. Pheromone traps provide information on spruce bark beetle population levels, allowing forest managers to decide whether trap trees should be used.