1.800.858.7378 npic@ace.orst.edu
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Pheromones are chemicals used by insects and other animals to communicate with each other. Insects send these chemical signals to help attract mates, warn others of predators, or find food. Using specific pheromones, traps can be used to monitor target pests in agriculture or in residential areas. By constantly monitoring for insects, it may be possible to detect an infestation before it occurs. Early detection of pest insects using pheromone traps can also lessen damage to agriculture and other plants. It can also limit the presence of stinging insects near you.
Pests such as Asian gypsy moths and Japanese beetles can be damaging to plants and may be controlled with a community wide effort. You might even find traps in your neighborhood! Using pheromone traps can help find locations where the pests are becoming established. Sometimes traps can also remove large populations. Large amounts of pheromone dispersion can be used in agriculture to disrupt insect mating.
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.