How to solve insect and rodent trap adhesive problems

Trap adhesives are soft, very tacky pressure sensitive hot melts or water-based coatings. They go on board, coated paper, film or foil. They must stay tacky on the shelf and in use.

This page covers coating and storing the adhesive in your plant. It does not cover how well a trap works on pests. We make no pesticide or efficacy claims for any grade.

For general melt-tank faults, see how to solve hot melt application problems.

Why is my trap coating not tacky enough?

Symptom: The coat feels dry or less tacky than the standard sample.

Likely cause: The coat weight is low, or the adhesive was held hot too long and broke down. Dust, or a skin from cooling air, can also cut tack.

Fix: Check the coat weight against your spec. Keep the tank full and the lid closed. Do not hold adhesive hot for longer than the TDS allows. Keep the coated face clean until you cover it.

Why does my trap adhesive run or drip in a hot warehouse?

Symptom: The coat flows, sags or drips on hung or stacked traps in summer heat.

Likely cause: The grade is too soft for the heat in storage or use. A heavy coat flows more.

Fix: Tell us the highest temperature in storage, shipping and use. Ask us for your grade's softening point, compare it with alternatives, then hang test traps at your highest storage temperature. Softening point is not heat resistance. Lower the coat weight in small steps.

Why does my trap coating get hard in the cold?

Symptom: The coat feels firm and less tacky in cold storage or cold use areas.

Likely cause: Soft PSAs firm up below their use range.

Fix: Tell us the lowest temperature in storage and use. Test traps at that temperature. Ask our lab for a grade with more cold tack.

Why does the adhesive soak into or stain my trap board?

Symptom: Dark spots or an oily shadow show on the back or the print side of the board.

Likely cause: The board is porous, or the adhesive is too hot and too thin when it goes on. Oil in a soft adhesive can also move into the fiber.

Fix: Lower the coat temperature in small steps within the TDS range. Use a coated or sealed board. Ask our lab about a grade with a higher viscosity.

Why does my trap adhesive string or cobweb at the coater?

Symptom: Fine strings or cobwebs form at the nozzle, slot or roll.

Likely cause: The adhesive is too cold or too thick at the head. Air drafts or a gap that is too wide also cause strings.

Fix: Raise the temperature in small steps within the TDS range. Close the gap from head to board. Shield the head from drafts. See how to solve hot melt application problems.

Why does the adhesive char, darken or smell in the tank?

Symptom: The melt darkens, smokes or smells burnt. Black specks show in the coat.

Likely cause: The tank is too hot, the adhesive stays in the tank too long, or the tank runs low.

Fix: Lower the tank temperature to the TDS range. Keep the tank full and the lid closed. Melt only what you use in a shift. Clean the system on a schedule. See hot melt system troubleshooting.

Why does the scent or color of my scented trap adhesive change?

Symptom: The scent seems weaker, or the color shifts, from run to run.

Likely cause: Heat and long tank time can change odor and color. Different tank temperatures between runs add to it.

Fix: Run each lot at the same temperature. Do not hold scented grades hot longer than needed. Keep lot numbers on each run. Send us retained samples if you see a change.

Why is the coat thick at the edges and thin or bare in the middle?

Symptom: Uneven coat across the board, bare spots or heavy edges.

Likely cause: The slot or roll is not level, the temperature is not even across the head, or the board is warped.

Fix: Level the slot or roll. Check each heat zone on the head. Store board flat. Measure the coat weight across the width.

Why do my coated trap sheets stick together or tear the release paper?

Symptom: Sheets block in the stack. The release paper tears or will not peel.

Likely cause: The release paper does not match the adhesive, or the stack is still warm.

Fix: Cool the coated sheets before you stack them. Match the release paper to the adhesive. Test release after aging in warm storage. Send release paper to our lab.

Why does my trap board curl after coating?

Symptom: Boards curl toward or away from the coat.

Likely cause: Heat goes into one side of the board and drives out moisture.

Fix: Cool boards flat after coating. Condition board to plant conditions before coating. Ask about a lower coat temperature within the TDS range.

Can you make a trap adhesive like the one I use now?

Symptom: You want a second source or a custom color or scent.

Likely cause: A custom grade needs the current adhesive, the substrate and the coater.

Fix: Send a sample of your current adhesive, its SDS, and coated traps. We can custom formulate for color, scent, bond strength and heat or cold resistance. Our lab compares a candidate with your current adhesive on your board before a line trial.

Stock grades

Stock trap grades from our insect and rodent trap page. Get the TDS for viscosity and application temperature. Call 800-249-0337 or request a sample to match your line.

What to send before you call

Tell us the trap type, the board or film, the coater, the coat weight, and the storage and use temperatures. Send coated traps and a sample of the adhesive you use now.

Related: insect and rodent traps, pressure sensitive adhesive, hot melt, custom formulated adhesive.

Still stuck on the line?

Call 800-249-0337 or contact us. Ask for a sample, an SDS, or a TDS. Our lab can test your substrate and your failed parts.

Call 800-249-0337 Request a sample Request an SDS

General plant guidance only — not a substitute for your process, SDS/TDS, or line trials. Call 800-249-0337 to match a grade.