F.A.Q.

How does the trap operate?

The trap basically shocks and kills mushroom flies by attracting them with a lamp.

The operation of the trap (ecosav-D1 and ecosav-S1) normally depends on a small transistorized photosensitized light cell incorporated in the ballast box (Figs. 1 and 2), which permits the trap to be automatically switched on and off around sunset and sunrise. However, the traps used for mushroom fly control (ecosav-M1) (Fig. 3), do not have automatic light on and off switch controlling system because the mushroom cultivation should be in constant dark conditions.

How should the trap be cleaned when its collecting container is full of flies?

The collecting container under the trap is removed and cleaned. Flies squeezed between the wires on the trap are cleaned by using a vacuum cleaner and/or air blowing compressor.

Is the trap affected by water?

The trap normally works in chilly conditions. When it contacts with water, the trap does not works until the water evaporates.

What should we pay attention to while placing the traps?

Please see the PLACEMENT OF THE TRAPS

If the light bulb burns out, how should it be replaced?

Watch our video showing how to replace the bulb.

Will I get rid of all flies, including species with the largest 0.5mm?

The traps (ecosav-M1) can catch all sizes of mushroom flies (0.5-6 mm) belonging four Dipteran families.

The traps (ecosav-D1 and ecosav-S1) can catch both sexes (males and females) of Tomato moth (Tuta absoluta) and all noctuid moths (Heliothis spp., Spodoptera spp., Agrotis spp., Authographa gamma, Trichoplusia ni, etc.) in greenhouse-grown tomatoes and Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella) in stored potatoes.

Is the trap also efficient for the larvae?

The trap is only for flying adults, but not for larvae. However, it prevents subsequent generations by mass-trapping of adult flies.

Is the trap efficient for mushroom diseases?

The trap can indirectly prevent the incidence of fungal and bacterial mushroom diseases by catching adults of mushroom flies, which are vectors for important mushroom diseases.

Can we also use insecticides for mushroom flies as the traps have already been hung in the room?

Cannot. Since mushroom flies have already developed resistance to many groups of chemical insecticides, the insecticides used for their control no longer kill them, but knock down. Therefore, the knocked down flies are not capable to fly, and stable on compost or casing soil and cannot be trapped by the traps. So, no insecticides should be used for the control of mushroom flies as the traps have already been in mushroom production rooms.

How long we can use the traps (what is its time span)?

The traps normally have a 2-year warranty except for the faulty of users. If carefully used, protected from water while operating and cleaned regularly, it is possible to use it for many years (at least 10 years).

Are users exposed to electric shock if they touch the mesh wires of trap?

There is normally no electricity on outer expanded wire mesh to prevent people or larger animals from touching the high voltage grid. The main function of the outer expanded wire mesh is to protect the inner wire meshes and has no function related to the operation of the trap.

Should the trap be discarded if the wires are bent and short-circuited or its circuit burns due to the trap falling or being hit?

No, in such cases, you can take it to authorized technical services of the company to have it repaired.

Does the trap catch beneficial insects?

Since mushrooms are cultivated in constant dark conditions, there are no beneficial insects are found in mushroom production rooms. So, ecosav-M1 traps no beneficial insects during the mushroom cultivation. The same situation is valid for ecosav-D1, if it used in stored potatoes. The data obtained from the preliminary studies show that ecosav-D1 and ecosav-S1 did not have a pronounced effect on beneficial insects.

When and how to operate the trap?

ecosav-M1 works constantly during the mushroom cultivation.

ecosav-D1 and ecosav-S1 works from beginning of evening twilight to end of morning twilight (9–14 h). Therefore, these two traps have an automatic light on and off switch controlling system. If ecosav-D1 is used for the control of potato tuber moth in stored potatoes, the automatic light on and off switch controlling system should be deactivated, because potatoes are stored in constant dark conditions.