There are many different types and variations of moth traps and not all work in the same manor. Here are the main types of moth traps that can be used to attract moths.

Heath Trap

This trap tends to be great for beginners. It is light and extremely portable. It can be assembled and disassembled fairly quickly. Batteries can be carried in a rucksack, unlike most other traps. Actinic bulbs can produce little heat and there is no risk of the bulb cracking if it rains. They produce little light are are unlikely to produce unwanted attention. This however, the less light makes it less effective than mains operated traps.

Moonlander Trap

This is one of the most powerful traps. It is used in places like jungles and other areas. It can be used to attract a wide rage of moths, beetles and other flying creatures at night. I don't know much about this trap, so if you have information regarding this, please email me at dynamixware@hotmail.com 

Robinson Trap

The design for this trap came in the 1940's by the Robinson brothers. They developed the original concept for this trap in the 1940's. It became commercially available in the 1950's and still remains one of the most effective traps today. It uses a 80 watt mercury vapour bulb, which is powered via a choke. 125, 350 and even 650w bulbs are also used.

The trap is made of plastic rather than metal, so it is easier to move around. It can be used as a garden trap, but the light from the bulb may annoy neighbours and people near it, so make sure that if you want to use one, you know it won't annoy or disturb anyone.

Skinner Trap

The concept and design centres on the portability of this trap as with speed and ease of use. The trap folds up making it easy to transport and assemble in the field. It has the same components and bulb as the Robinson trap so, it can be powered, either by mains power or a generator. Some are even fitted with actinic tubes. The overall size of this trap is around 18 inches wide by 12 inches high. It is normally constructed with aluminium sheeting, but exterior plywood is cheaper and more ready material usually to be used.

The lamp tube is fixed to a long bar which spans the two sides, which provides additional support to the traps assembly. The central two Perspex sheets where the moths enter is placed down at around a 30 degree angle towards the base and are retained about an inch apart. The trap is normally placed on a sheet. Sometimes people place egg cartons for moths to rest on. The person who inspects the trap can lift the Perspex sheets without turning off the light.

The Skinner trap has a weakness of the moths not staying in the base, and they can tend to fly away, especially at day break, but it can attract as much moths as the Robinson trap. The design of this makes it easy to assemble and disassemble, but the operator has to be with trap at all times. It can be operated in the rain too.

Sweet Substances

Sweet smelling substances can be used to attract many species of moth and possibly other creatures at night that don't go to lights often. A good solution is to mix up water + sugar + treacle + stale beer and boil. After this, spread liquid over tree trunk or post or other suitable place and wait and see what arrives. Other things to use are rotting fruit such as apples. These will attract some moths and in day, possibly some species of butterfly too. Best time to use this is when fruit starts falling from the trees.