Yellow and blue sticky traps are gaining ground as a way to control aphids, whiteflies and other sucking pests in vegetable fields with less pesticide. The method is non-toxic: pests drawn to the yellow colour land on the trap and stick, and blue traps are used for pests attracted to blue.

The traps also show which pests are present and in what numbers, making it easier to decide when and what action is needed.

Agriculture workers advise about 25 to 30 yellow traps per bigha of vegetables. Posts at either side of the field carry a jute rope from which traps hang at set intervals, one to one and a half cubits above the crop, raised as the plants grow. Two kinds are sold: yellow paper with an adhesive sticker and yellow poly sheet coated with glue.

Cost is an advantage too. According to agriculture workers, spraying pesticide can cost Tk 30,000 to 40,000 a hectare on average, while yellow traps cost about Tk 7,000 to 8,000, cutting both production costs and chemical use.

The traps also work in rooftop gardens, especially for people growing vegetables without pesticide. Wider awareness among farmers, agriculture workers say, would help the production of safer vegetables.

Source: Agricare24