What is the purpose of glue boards in pest management?

Glue boards are specifically designed for monitoring pest activity, particularly for insects such as cockroaches. They effectively capture and hold pests that come into contact with their sticky surface, allowing a visual assessment of the pest population and activity levels in an area. This monitoring can be crucial for determining the effectiveness of pest control measures and for identifying the locations and times of high pest activity.

While glue boards may catch a variety of insects, their primary use is not to trap all types of insects indiscriminately nor are they intended for application of chemicals or elimination of specific pests like fruit flies. Instead, their role in pest management is to provide insight and data, especially regarding cockroach populations, which can inform further control strategies. By understanding the extent of the infestation, food managers can take appropriate actions tailored to the specific pest problem observed.