Garden or Educational Use
The design of the Skinner trap means you can access the catch without having to switch the bulb off - very useful if you are looking at your catch over the course of an evening.

Large Catches
The Robinson and MV Skinner traps may catch up to 1000 moths in a single night at peak season.

Unattended Trapping
The Robinson is the only trap which will retain the whole catch after dawn. Some moths will escape other trap designs.

Portability
Heath traps are the lightest, most potable traps, good for remote sites or trapping over a number of nights in different locations.

Do different traps attract different species?
No, all traps attract the same range of species.

What's the difference in catch rates?
Traps with MV bulbs attract the largest number of moths. Of the actinic traps, the Skinner has the best catch rate. Heath traps catch 40-50% fewer moths. However, because all traps attract the same range of species, you can obtain similar results to a brighter trap by trapping for a longer period or over several nights in the same area.

MV Bulb (125W) A mercury vapour bulb has a good catch rate but is extremely bright, making it less suitable for built-up areas or situations where there will be people around. This is a hot bulb which needs protection from rain. Requires 240V - mains or generator.

Actinic Tube (6, 8, 15W) An actinic tube has a lower catch rate due to the lower wattage, but the relatively low visible light emission makes it good for garden or educational use. A cold bulb doesn't require protection from light rain. An actinic tube will run from the mains, a generator, or 12V battery. (Specific trap models vary in their power requirements - make sure you buy one suitable for the intended power source.)

Mains, generator or battery?
A mains-powered trap is suitable for use in gardens or other sites where mains power is available. Use a portable generator for a mercury vapour trap in a remote site, or for powering several traps simultaneously. A rechargeable sealed lead acid-type battery is more portable and suitable for a 12V Skinner or Heath trap in the field.

How many traps can I use?
One 125W trap such as the Robinson or MV Skinner uses 1.15A, so a 1000W generator can run 3 or 4 traps simultaneously.

How long will the power last from a generator or battery?
This depends on the type of trap and how many traps you are powering at once.