What is Tree Tanglefoot Pest Barrier?
A product made from natural tree resins, polymerized with castor oil and further waterproofed with vegetable waxes. In its final state, Tree Tanglefoot is a caramel-colored product that is viscous and very sticky.

Is the product toxic?
NO! Tree Tanglefoot is not toxic to humans, animals, or the host of biological species in the environment.

Is the product insecticidal?
NO! The product has no insecticidal properties, produces no harmful vapors and is considered nontoxic to the environment.

How long does it remain actively sticky?
In the field, Tree Tanglefoot Pest Barrier remains sticky until its exposed surfaces become coated with dust, leaves, insects or other debris. To reactivate this barrier, simply scrape the surfaces with a flat stick to expose the underlying sticky matrix.

How do I apply Tree Tanglefoot Pest Barrier?
The product is usually applied to the tree or vine bark surfaces with a flat wooden/plastic spatula, or a caulking tube cartridge. The use of barrier tape is suggested for easy removal and to eliminate any possibility of tree damage. See FIELD POINTERS at end of this document.

How much do I apply to the trunk surfaces?
A thin coat smeared -on by a spatula, or paddle of 1/16 to ¼ inch depth is quite sufficient. The width of this treated "band" is usually 1 to 2 inches. Because of the highly sticky nature of the product, it is difficult to be definitive in the applications. See Exhibits A and B.

Can I apply Tree Tanglefoot to wet surfaces?
YES! The product can be easily applied to wet or dry trunk bark surfaces with no detrimental effect on the adhesion.

Do I have to scrape rough tree bark before application?
NO! The viscous product conforms to rough bark contours or irregularities, effectively preventing insects from crawling under the "band" area. See Exhibit B.

Does the product drip or leach on the trunk surfaces?
NO! Under tropical field testing on citrus, rubber and cocoa, no dripping of the product off or down the trunk occurred. The product's formulation does not allow for leaching from the surfaces or "up-take" through the bark surfaces.

Does the product dry out after application?
NO! The applied trunk bands remain as serviceable sticky barriers through both dry and wet weather conditions in the field.

Does continued field use cause pest resistance?
NO! The product is not an insecticide and does not lend itself to pesticidal resistance.

Is the product safe to use on a large scale?
YES! Tree Tanglefoot is well suited for use on large scale in tree fruit plantings as there is no ecological damage. It is nontoxic to insects and does not cause any form of detrimental environmental contamination.

Is Tree Tanglefoot used in IPM programs?
YES! Today the product is considered a key tool for the management of insect movements on citrus, cocoa, mango and rubber plantations.

Does the product act as a bait, repellent or attractant?
NO! Tree Tanglefoot serves as a sticky physical barrier.

Are trunk barriers a sound field practice?
YES! Tree or vine trunk barriers are an ecologically sound cultural practice. This especially so for the complex management of ants. A sticky trunk barrier breaks the mutualism between ants on the ground and their Homopteran mutualists in the tree or vine canopies. This behavioral, non-pesticide management, without the use of pesticides, does not adversely affect their community structures in the soil habitat.

Should I skirt prune the treated trees?
YES! Any low hanging branches must be pruned, as their contact with the soil surface will provide a "highway" for insect movement into the tree. Also practice weed control under the trees as well. This is to prevent grasses, for example, from touching the lower tree branches. Tall weeds would also present ideal highways for foraging insects to crawl up and into the tree canopies.

FIELD POINTERS FOR USING TREE TANGLEFOOT PEST BARRIER

• For young trees, where the bark may still be green or thin; place a 3-inch (approximate) band of a waterproof material or plastic wrap around the trunk. Then apply the coating of Tree Tanglefoot directly on top of this wrapping.
  
  
• The product can be applied with a putty knife, plastic spatula or flat stick like a paint stirrer. After use, the applicators can be cleaned with mineral spirits.
  
  
• · For rows of trees or vines alongside dirt roads, it will be necessary to check the "sticky barrier" at intervals since passing tractors or vehicles produce clouds of dust that, in time, will coat these pest barriers and reduce stickiness.
  
  
• To "reactivate" the dusty coated barrier, simply scrape the surface lightly with a flat stick or putty knife. This removes the dust -debris; the underlying surface is sticky and the pest barrier is again effective.