Monitoring is also useful in determining how effective a control programme is. Mass Trapping - pheromones can be used to lure many insect pests into traps. In certain situations, control may be achieved by this method. Traps are deployed at a much higher density than they would be for monitoring purposes. A successful mass trapping programme depends on factors such as timing of trap deployment, trap density and trap type.
Mass trapping is used to best effect in agricultural situations.
Pheromones are used to attract pests into a small zone treated with insecticide. Mating Disruption - insects must find each other in order to mate. To do this, they use pheromones. If however, the area is saturated with this pheromone, they will not be able to locate a mate. If such a programme is started early enough, dispensers are placed at the correct density, and the effect is properly maintained throughout the mating season, mating will be reduced to chance encounters only.