PANKO silverfish trap


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New PANKO S-Trap for monitoring silverfish & firebrats

Reliable information concerning the presence of silverfish is a prerequisite for applying appropriate preventive measures. The absence of effective methods of silverfish monitoring is a problem widely encountered in archives and libraries.

The traditional glue traps used out of necessity, so to speak, fail to provide reliable information as to the actual activity of these pests. As a result, silverfish can cause irreparable damage to collections of books and documents, of which librarians can be completely unaware.

For many years now manufacturers have claimed effectiveness of their universal traps ‘specially’ adapted to capturing a wide range of crawling insects. However, reality has proven to be much more complex and so selective traps, able to attract specific species, are becoming more and more desirable. Nevertheless, there still remains one fundamental problem, which is the innate cautious behavior of the silverfish itself.

One should bear in mind that these insects have survived for millions of years thanks in no small part to their well-developed ability to foresee and avoid potential threats.
Some pest species, including silverfish, having analysed a potential threat, decide not to enter a traditional glue trap. In light of the above, and based on our own observations, we have developed a trap that effectively attracts silverfish, and the structure of which simulates the silverfish's natural habitat, thus encouraging them to enter.
When entering the trap, silverfish remain unaware of danger, and the structure of the trap prevents them from finding a way back out.

Silverfish move along the inner edge of the trap in search of an escape route. Disoriented after a change of direction, they are trapped in a thick layer of circle-shaped glue. After accidentally touching the glue they are unable to leave this elastic and sticky glue mass. Such a structure allows adequate early detection of even the smallest infestation of silverfish.

This form of a trap has undergone extensive testing in the University of Wroc³aw Library with tremendous success. Testing in private apartments has also produced commendable results.

The most prominent features of the PANKO Silverfish Trap include:

  • an applied structural solution (patented) which assures complete silverfish monitoring
  • a unique food attractant
  • transparent material which allows observation of trapped insects
  • an enclosed structure which protects the interior of the trap from environmental contamination, while also preventing accidental contact with the glue
  • fluorescent marks that glow in light and enable easy location of traps
  • a robust, damage-resistant structure.

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