moth trapping...

[mark richards]

Hi all,does anyone do moth trapping, been thinking of doing this for a few years now, but never got round to it...
thinking of making my own trap but not sure about the choke for the bulb...or should i use a bulb with one built in?..
where do you get the choke from? thanks..

 

[Tori_T]

Would this suit your needs?

 

[silure130]

I built one last year and started of with a actinic lamp. After a few nights with hardly anything I fitted a 70watt Mercury vapour lamp and it made a huge difference. I never realised how big moths were and that they even flew in my garden. I had 3 Elephant Hawk moths first night. Only snag is that it will light up yours and the surrounding gardens up. I fitted mine on a timer so that it went off around 4am. I tried to ID as many moths as possible but it's very difficult because there are so many.

 

[mark richards]

Would this suit your needs?

not sure... will have to read up..mark.

 

[mark richards]

I built one last year and started of with a actinic lamp. After a few nights with hardly anything I fitted a 70watt Mercury vapour lamp and it made a huge difference. I never realised how big moths were and that they even flew in my garden. I had 3 Elephant Hawk moths first night. Only snag is that it will light up yours and the surrounding gardens up. I fitted mine on a timer so that it went off around 4am. I tried to ID as many moths as possible but it's very difficult because there are so many.

yes,its the light output that worries me...my neighbours probably wont be amused...
did you use a bulb with the built in choke?..

 

[mex]

Mark I have a black UV bulb you can have, nextdoor will never know! everything you need is on the net but these guys will get you set up. http://www.angleps.com/

Most of the gear you need is readily available from electrical suppliers,poss even places like B&Q.

I built this one, its fairly straight forward http://www.tcdigitalphotography.co.uk/diy_moth_trap.html

Get in touch with Jake Gilmore, (not everyones cup of tea I know but he knows a lot about them and will put you in touch with the right people) via GBC.

Edit: just remembered this guy :http://www.pwbelg.clara.net/mercury/

 

[silure130]

yes,its the light output that worries me...my neighbours probably wont be amused...
did you use a bulb with the built in choke?..

No seperate choke. Being an electrician I had all the parts. Only thing I purchased was the Perspex of ebay. Any advice in making one let us know and I'll do my best.

 

[mark richards]

thanks Nigel & Rick, I've got a good workshop, so shouldn't have much problem with making one, the one you show nige is the one i was looking at.
I was only wondering what the choke was all about? does it do the same job as a strip-light inners?...was also thinking of working one of these out in the field..
so thinking running generator or battery? ..... 125w for mains? 15-20w battery for portability , I've got a few chair lift battery's 12v would they be ok...
thanks for the info guys...

 

[silure130]

Mine is 125 watt mercury, not 70 watt as I originally posted. Separate choke, cannot be run from a battery. Generator would be ok. Choke about £10, lamp about £5, you'd also need an Edison Screw lamp holder. L&N to choke, Output to lampholder. I have the choke in a box, drill a few holes to let the heat out. The lamp gets red hot, but I don't put my trap out if any rain forecast. I shall have mine out next weekend if the weather is ok.