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InsectCop Reviews: Is Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor Really That Good?
This trap is one of the most efficient tools for reducing your existing insect population as well as monitoring for signs of a new infestation.
REASONS TO BUY:
Dual purpose: a trap and a monitor
Inexpensive and low-maintenance
Easy to assemble and use
Effectively traps both small and large pests
Safe for use around pets and children
REASONS TO AVOID:
Slightly too large to be used to its full potential, bugs get stuck around the edges, leaving the middle empty
Hard to remove if gets stuck to the paws of your pets
Not weatherproof, therefore suitable for mostly indoors use
The Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor is one of the leading pest monitoring devices on the market. But do the results merit the glowing reviews?
We decided to buy one and try it out for ourselves to bring you this real-life, unbiased review of the Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor!
This is a popular product and, as such, there is already quite a lot of information about Catchmaster out there. Many of these reviews are brief, however, and may lack certain important details that are instrumental for the effective use of the product.
We wanted to go one step further in our review, basing everything on our own, real-life experience of using the product. In doing so, we hope to bring you the most comprehensive and detailed review of the Catchmaster trap to date!
After reading this review, you should know everything there is to know about the Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor, and how to use it for the effective removal of potentially harmful pests from your home.
Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor: the basics
Made in the USA these traps contain no harsh chemicals or pesticides. And some versions of the Catchmaster traps even come impregnated with a scent (vanilla or molasses) to make them more appealing to insects.
No wonder why Catchmaster’s Brand Strategy Director Christopher Ernst calls these traps the “bread and butter products in the pest management industry.”
The product is primarily intended for trapping crawling insect pests, which become tightly stuck when they wander on to the sticky glue surface. However, it can also catch moths, flies, and other airborne beasties. In doing to, Catchmaster traps can remove a large number of pests around certain parts of your home.
They are also ideal for monitoring the pest situation before and after treatment. And since monitoring is the backbone of integrated pest management, these traps are the perfect thing to use to not only keep an eye on your insect population but to also see how well a pest control treatment worked and therefore determining if there are any additional steps that must be taken to fully get rid of the pests that are bothering you.
Pests targeted by the Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor include:
Most crawling insects (including cockroaches, scorpions, silverfish and crickets)
Flies
Gnats
Moths
Spiders
Possible precautions to take when using the Catchmaster
When set up properly, according to the instructions on the packaging, the Catchmaster traps are highly effective and safe to use (even around children and pets).
If assembled correctly, they have a sturdy build that is unlikely to collapse, so you needn’t worry about the glue boards sticking together and rendering the trap useless.
As with all pest control traps, however, you must be mindful of where you leave them if you have children or pets at home.
The adhesive surface is non-toxic and does not contain chemicals, but the glue can stick tightly to fur and skin, which may be uncomfortable to remove. So, place all traps well out of reach of children or pets to avoid tampering!
However, if your pet does get caught in the trap Christopher Ernst emphasizes that “the most important thing to remember is don’t panic.” The Catchmaster traps are pesticide-free so “outside of the obvious inconvenience of having the trap on them the monitor won’t harm your pet.”
So, how to get your pet unstuck from the trap?
Here’s a handy video from Catchmaster that explains exactly what you need to do:
How much does it cost?
The Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor is a great value for money.
The simplicity of the design means they are at the inexpensive end of the pest control price spectrum, but their effectiveness (i.e. the stickiness of the glue) is guaranteed to last for at least one year.
Other customer reviews claim that even this is an understatement and that they have been using their Catchmaster Traps for years!
Packaging and materials
Catchmaster traps contain no harmful chemicals and are completely biodegradable, making them one of the eco-friendliest options for home pest control and monitoring.
The thin cardboard has a simple, red and white design depicting the company’s logo and simple, easy-to-follow instructions for set up.
Catchmaster 288i Insect Traps
The model 288i arrives in the form of larger glue boards, each of which can be folded into one large triangular trap measuring 9.875 by 7.5 inches.
Alternatively, each glue board can be broken down into three smaller monitors, measuring 9.875 by 2.5 inches.
Catchmaster 100i Insect Traps
Catchmaster also offers a slightly smaller trap (the 100i model), which measures 7.75 by 7.5 inches and can be separated into three 7.75 by 2.5-inch monitors.
How does the Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor work?
The Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor is a valuable tool in any war on bugs. When used as part of an integrated pest management plan, it can be your first line of defense against pest infestations.
It can also provide you with valuable information about the species, location, and number, of pests, helping you to form a more targeted approach to taking them down.
You can use the Catchmaster in one of two ways: as a trap, or a monitor.
How to use Catchmaster as a trap
If you plan to use your Catchmaster to trap and kill as many invaders as possible, fold the entire board into one large triangle.
Place your trap (1 per room or 1 per 100 square feet in a food storage facility) and peel away the protective paper from the glue surface.
How to use Catchmaster as a monitor
If you want to use your Catchmaster to monitor your pests, separate the board along the perforated lines into three smaller pieces.
These can then be folded into three rectangular monitors.
We preferred this method of use because it allowed us to place the traps in several different areas instead of just one per room.
We had identified several areas of previous insect activity and possible entry points and found that the monitor method was way better for targeting several sites at once.
And the tunnel shape of the monitors also helps to keep dust and other debris out of the trap, allowing the trap to work to its full potential.
Where should you place the traps?
According to the instructions, the Catchmaster traps should be placed anywhere with potentially high levels of insect pest activity. This may be:
In corners of rooms
Behind appliances and furniture
Along walls
Near baseboards
In basements
In cupboards and pantries
Under the sink
Christopher Ernst also recommends “to consider any paths that might lead to the area where you see the insects.” For instance, if pests have infested your garage, you should try to figure out how the insects are finding their way there, what entrance points are they using. And then place the Catchmaster traps in these areas as well to optimize results.
And, as Ernst points out, although “moisture is a double-edged sword as it is more likely to attract insects [it will also] cause the trap to warp”. So, we wouldn’t recommended to use this trap outdoors or in areas with heavy moisture. For that look for traps that are made of plastic.
How efficient is this product?
The Catchmaster effectively traps and kills a wide range of insect pests, including cockroaches, bed bugs, moths, flies, scorpions, silverfish and more!
Once insect pests are stuck to the traps they can act as a lure to spiders, which then also get trapped in their attempts to reach their prey.
The opening is wide enough that even larger critters (like American roaches and big spiders) can enter. Once inside, the glue is strong enough that even bigger bugs will find themselves hopelessly stuck.
How long will it take for the trap to fill up?
The time taken for the trap to become full will heavily depend on how many insects there are in the vicinity.
If you have a large insect infestation, they may become full within a few days and will need to be replaced more frequently.
How often should I check and replace the trap?
The official Catchmaster guidelines state that the traps should be checked at least once a week for monitoring purposes. This will give you an idea of how many bugs there are in certain areas of your house, which species they are and how they may be getting inside.
Catchmaster’s Christopher Ernst also reminds us that “traps placed incorrectly or in a place without significant pest pressure will get different results”. So, he suggests that if you see that your traps aren’t getting results when you check them, move them around and try different locations that might work better.
As for replacing the traps, you should dispose of the old ones and replace them with new traps at least once a month.
More tips for effective use
Many people choose to set their Catchmaster traps on the floor: along baseboards, wall, in corners and behind furniture and appliances.
However, the Catchmaster trap also comes equipped with an adhesive backing which allows them to be placed on other surfaces, such as walls or ceilings.
This can be very helpful if you have a problem with flying pests (such as moths) or f you want to keep them out of reach of your cat!
Storage and disposal
While these Catchmaster traps are non-toxic and very easy to use, there are a few things you should remember when storing and disposing of the monitors.
How should you store Catchmaster traps?
Catchmaster traps should be stored in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures until you’re ready to use them.
If kept in suitable conditions, they can be stored indefinitely.
How should you dispose of Catchmaster traps?
Catchmaster traps contain no harsh chemicals or insecticides, so they are easy to dispose of safely.
Once your trap is full, wrap it up securely in a bag or paper and dispose of it in the outdoor trash.
Additional tips and tricks for keeping crawling pests at bay
Effective monitoring measures are just one way to keep your pest population under control.
Sticky traps like the Catchmaster can be your first line of defense against an invasion, but will only be truly effective when used as part of an integrated pest control management system.
Cleanliness: Food, water, and shelter are the main motivators for insects that invade houses. Keeping your home (and especially your kitchen) as clean and clutter-free as possible will give them fewer reasons to come indoors. Pay extra attention to the spaces underneath and behind kitchen appliances, as the crumbs and grime that can accumulate in these hard-to-reach places can be a magnet to pests.
Proper food storage: As mentioned above, many pest species come indoors on the hunt for food. Make sure all food items are securely stored in airtight containers, and refrigerate any perishable items. All spills and crumbs should be cleaned up immediately, as should dirty utensils and cooking implements.
Elimination of entry points: Christopher Ernst also notes that “as with all traps and monitors you are only removing individuals from a population and providing the opportunity for another individual to now take advantage of the newfound resources. To truly remove a pest infestation you need to determine how they are accessing the space and mitigate their access.” So, carry out a thorough inspection of your house to find out how the bugs are getting in and block these access points. Gaps around windows and doors can be blocked off using screens and door sweeps. While cracks around drains and in the exterior of your house may also be blocked up with wire or caulk.
Removal of moisture sites: Many pest species are dependent on a constant source of moisture for their survival, so identifying and drying up wet spots around your house is a key preventative step. Water may accumulate under leaky faucets, AC units, or inside blocked drains.
Decluttering: Harborage sites near the foundations of your house can attract pests to your house and, once they’re nesting just a few feet away, it’s a lot easier for them to sneak in. Give your yard a good de-clutter, moving piles or firewood, recycling boxes and trash cans at least 6 feet from the outer wall of your building. Trimming unruly shrubs and grasses can also remove some of the hiding places that pests love.
These pest monitoring traps are perfect for both reducing your existing insect problem and monitoring the situation and noticing signs of a new infestation. They're also chemical-free, inexpensive, and easy to set up and use. So why not try this simple solution to all your insect problems?
After one month of using the Catchmaster Insect Trap and Monitor, we can honestly say we’re very satisfied with the results.
And here’s proof:
Week 1: Traps were placed in problem areas: in the corner of the pantry, behind kitchen appliances and in the basement.
Week 2: An inspection of the traps made it very clear what we were up against (cockroaches) and where their main nest was (behind the fridge).
Week 3: Armed with this new information, we set up poison bait and got to work eradicating our roaches. The full Catchmaster Traps were switched out for fresh ones, so we could continue to monitor the results of our efforts.
Week 4: We still check the Catchmaster traps weekly, and are pleased to report a significant drop in the number of bugs that have fallen victim to the sticky pad.
In summary, the Catchmaster Insect Trap helped us to quickly and effectively identify pest problem areas around the house. And once we’d acquired our target, the rest of our pest removal efforts ran smoothly.
To this day we have a few Catchmasters set up around the house for monitoring purposes, which we check weekly since these traps also work as pest monitors.
All in all, these insect monitors and traps are the perfect thing to use no matter what pests you’re dealing with. From roaches to spiders, these pre-baited traps will help you get rid of your pest problem swiftly.
