Coffee growers lose berries every season to insects that are hard to see until the damage is done. A bottle trap is one of the cheapest ways to find out what is moving through your garden — and to reduce the pressure before it spreads.
What you need
- A clean plastic bottle, 1–1.5 litres
- A sharp knife or scissors
- Wire or string
- Soapy water, or a simple bait mix
Making the trap
- Cut an opening in the upper part of the bottle, wide enough for the target insect to enter.
- Make two small holes near the neck and thread the wire through so the trap hangs securely.
- Add a small amount of soapy water or bait — enough to cover the bottom, not to overflow.
- Hang the trap in the shade at berry height, about 1–1.5 metres from the ground.
Monitoring and maintenance
Check the trap twice a week and record what you find. Empty and refresh it weekly, and move it if catches drop. Traps are a monitoring tool and part of an integrated approach; they do not replace good pruning, sanitation and timely harvesting.
Clean planting material, open canopies and regular scouting do more for a coffee garden than any single trap.
If you are planning a new garden, start with certified clean cuttings. Call Shalom Farm on 0704 592 660 to confirm availability.
