Protecta Sticky Tree Paste

Apply Protecta (Rampastop®) sticky tree paste, intended for professional or amateur gardeners, around the trunk of trees, or at the base of the main branches, to create a physical barrier that traps or prevents the ascent of creeping insects such as earwigs, caterpillars, and ants into the aerial parts of fruit trees. Apply by hand, as early as possible after the formation of young fruits, and it will remain effective for 8 to 12 weeks. A 1L pot protects around twenty trees with a trunk diameter of 15cm.

To protect fruit trees from damage caused by certain creeping pests, applying tree glue is an effective, simple, and proven preventive solution. Insects stick to the glue as they pass and cannot access the fruits.

This professional-quality tree glue is composed of polybutene, a thermoplastic compound obtained from the petrochemical industry. It comes in the form of a brown-coloured paste that is applied manually: after dipping your hands in water mixed with washing-up liquid (about 5%), detach a ball of glue the size of an apple from the pot. Form a band by stretching it at both ends, wrap the cord around the trunk (once or twice, depending on the cord's thickness), about 30-40 cm from the ground. Cut off excess glue by pulling the cord beyond its elasticity limit, put it back in the pot, and press your hands onto the applied band to reinforce the glue's adhesion to the bark. Apply a band 3 to 5 cm wide per tree. Do not work the soil during the application period to avoid saturating the glue with dust. Ensure there are no tall grasses at the base of the trunks, which create passageways (or 'bridges') allowing creeping insects to access the aerial parts.

Application period in arboriculture: 2 to 3 weeks after the end of flowering.

Application period against processionary caterpillars: end of February - beginning of March, depending on seasonal conditions.

The first year of application in arboriculture will require a more rigorous application and good control of the glue's elasticity: the product can slip on smooth bark, which offers few anchoring points.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
On certain sensitive trees (citrus trees, fig trees, etc.) and on young trees (<2 years), direct application on the trunk may present risks of bark necrosis. To avoid this, cover the desired application area with cling film before applying the glue. Do not reapply the following year on the same area of the trunk. Once the glue is applied, do not summer prune the tree. Bird protection: avoid applying the glue on horizontal branches to avoid trapping insectivorous birds.