Spring 2010 - Initially, after I got the bug (every pun intended) I became interested in setting up a trap. I started by purchasing the electric actinic setup and tried it out using a cardboard box and some perspex.
Did the trick though...the first time I used it I bagged 15 moths (on 6th April). I thought it was the bees-knees, and it totally got me focussed on making a wooden Skinner-type.
2010 - On 17th April I managed to get hold of a perfect wooden box from work. It trimmed it down a bit, gave it a nice lick of white paint and set it going.
The washing line and a couple of sheets made for an extra bit of reflection. After reading several moth-blogs (particularly Trent Duval's "We are the Campions") I realised that it pays to 'patrol' the light, and so every half hour I tend to have a walk out and sit by the light potting up any moths that are passing by.
This trap performed really well, giving me 245 species which far exceeded any of my expectations for my suburban garden. The really great thing about mothing is that I truly didn't know what species came into the garden so it was amazing when things like Elephant Hawk turned up. My son was especially pleased with this one and insisted on showing all his friends at school!
2011 - Starting in March this year to try and grab some of those that I missed out on last year. I came up with the plan of putting the trap between the two sheds at the top of the garden, underneath the mixed hawthorn hedge.
This seems to have been a good idea (don't ask me why I didn't think of it last year!) as so far I've added an extra 76 species. The added advantage of this position is that I don't need to worry about exposing the extension lead to the elements, as it feeds straight into the shed. Also if it gets too rainy then the vertical sheet gets strung up between the sheds and acts like an umbrella.
2011 - The latest amendment to my trap was the rewiring of the electrics so that the bulb plugs in at each end, and does away with the unsightly wooden bar across the trap.
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Beginning of September - another pimping of the trap. This time, after reading Skev's blog and all the 'amendments' he makes to his designs, I decided to add a bit more light. The theory is that a different type of bulb increases the light spectrum and (hopefully) improves catch numbers. So I took myself off the Asda, got hold of a clip on bulb holder (£3) and a 22W CFL bulb (£3.50) and clipped it on the side of the trap above the Actinic bulb.
So far it looks like its done the job, this time last year I wasn't catching half as many as I am currently. I look forward to testing it thoroughly next summer!
Spring 2012
The MV revolution came upon me! My friend Ian G loaned me an 80W MBF bulb and electrics to see how I get on with it. I thought at first it would be too bright for my neighbours, as we live in a suburban area. However, as you can see from the photos below, I tend not to let opportunities like this pass me by, so a cunning plan was adopted.
The white sheet protects most of Ripley from the BRIGHT light but still has enough light leaking down the garden to attract the moths. In fact the majority of my catch comes from passing along the hedge above, so it will be interesting to see how numbers compare to last year.
My telescope tripod provided support for this first trial of the MV. A bit bulky though, I think?