There are numerous challenges cannabis growers face on a daily basis, from optimizing the cultivation strategy to assess the best environment for the plants and such. However, there's one that is often a huge pain in the neck: pest pressure. Considering that the fruits of these plants will have to be consumed for medical reasons, it's very much not surprising that regulations around what's permitted or not in terms of crop protection are very stringent. It's a fine balance a grower needs to find, something that would have minimal impact on the plants, while simultaneously avoiding the use of harsh chemicals.
Sticky traps are one of the most widely used pest control solutions. Academic research has anyway showed that insects are attracted to specific colors. So, what if sticky traps are colored in such a way to attract a specific insect that may be roaming in a cannabis greenhouse? "The aim is simple: to attract flying insects without any spray or residue, using nothing that could harm the plant or the consumer," says Marina Arshavsky Rosental from Davik, an Israeli company specializing in crop protection solutions.
© Davik Industries
"Our sticky trap product line designed for mass trapping, not just monitoring." The company has recently launched its Super Catchy, a rollable film that uses not only color but also natural scents to attract a wide range of flying pests, including thrips and tobacco whiteflies, two of the most problematic insects in cannabis greenhouses.
Color, scent, and research
The concept is rooted in academic research that shows how insects respond to different visual cues. "Yellow is known to attract a wide variety of insects, while blue and even black are more pest-specific," Marina explains. "For instance, black is particularly effective against tomato leafminer."
The Super Catchy builds on the original Catchy product, which relies solely on color and adhesive, by incorporating a bio-active, naturally based scent. "It's not a pheromone," Marina specifies. "Pheromones usually attract only males. What we use attracts both male and female insects, increasing the effectiveness of the trap."
© Davik Industries
From monitoring to mass trapping
While many growers are familiar with small sticky cards used for monitoring pest levels, Super Catchy is designed for mass trapping. "Our method can prevent up to 70–80% of flying insects," she says. "It's a significant reduction compared to just monitoring." Despite its potency, the product remains friendly to beneficial insects. "They're usually larger than thrips or whiteflies, and most of the time they can get unstuck if they accidentally land on the trap," she notes.
Not only greenhouses
While Davik primarily sells through distributors, they support them with personalized recommendations based on the target pests and crop type. "If a customer gives us a list of prevalent flying insects in their greenhouse, we can suggest different colors or deployment strategies," Marina says. "Sometimes yellow is best, sometimes blue is more effective."
Though initially developed for protected cropping, Davik has since expanded its solutions to open-field cultivation as well. Catchy Glue Pro, a standalone adhesive, can be sprayed onto traps or other surfaces and is particularly useful in dusty environments - such as cow sheds or outdoor fields - where traditional sticky traps might lose their effectiveness.
© Davik Industries
Proven in harsh climates
Davik's products have been tested under some of the toughest conditions. "Our facilities are located in the desert," Marina points out. "Even in these harsh environments, the stickiness of our traps lasts a long time and remains effective."
With export operations already underway, Davik sees potential in other countries where greenhouse cannabis faces similar pest challenges. Their focus remains on providing chemical-free, efficient, and flexible tools for growers navigating increasingly strict regulatory and consumer standards. "As the cannabis industry evolves," Marina adds, "we're ready to adapt, with new colors, new scents, and new innovations based on what science and our customers tell us."
For more information:
Davik Industries
Marina Arshavsky Rosental
Global Marketing and Sales Director
Phone: 972 8 6560100
[email protected]
www.daviktapes.com
