I have heard from two growers (Pennsylvania and Massachusetts) now concerning the availability of Isomate mating disruption lures. Both asked specifically about the dual pheromone lures for CM and OFM. Supposedly the issue is that shipments to certain states are not possible? Great Lakes IPM said this about shipping to eastern Pennsylvania. Might anyone have a clue what's going on? And a suggestion of other suppliers beyond Great Lakes and Gemplers?

I would quess this has something to do with registration of the products with those states' environmental regulation agencies. All of the products produced by Pacific Biocontrol Corporation that are for sale in NY state including Isomate CM/OFM went through the typical process in the Bureau of Pesticide Management in the NY Department of Conservation. I am suprised that it hasn't happened in at least PA.

Doesn't sound quite right to me. Coincidentally, just today I ordered that exact product from Great Lakes. They didn't say anything about not being able to ship it to me in western Pennsylvania. We'll see in a week if it arrives.

Growers should be aware that for best effect mating disruption requires plantings of 5 contiguous squarish acres, ideally with squarish shape and relatively even topography. Small planting with high edge to interior ratio, and proximity to sources of impregnated female moths are not good candidates for MD. - Glen Koehler [Editor's note: This would make a great thread in its own right! Some researchers now talk about "pinpoint disruption" working in smaller blocks. I will let those of you using MD take it from here.]

I got my combo lures today, so the non-shipping thing was bogus. Also, in response to acreage requirements--I have under 5A of orchard and just put out enough lures as if I had 5 A. I put them in trees along fencelines and along adjoining fields and even in a farm building on the top of our hill above the orchard where I can easily get into the "attic" area. The scent wafts out that way above the trees through the ridgevent of the building. I've been told the scent is heavier than air and you need to get it out high. So I take advantage of my location. The big thing is that you need a big enough cloud to confuse even the sex crazed males outside the orchard whose mates would lay eggs in your apples. Also I've gotten curculio traps from Great Lakes. I'm a little confused as to where to put the bait. They say above the plastic "top assembly" on the trap. But what's the top assembly for then? And why would a curc wind up in the trap if it could just go directly to the bait? Any experience base out there? [Editor's note: Here's a great example of how having a good thread title can help you get responses... Don's tagging on some questions about PC traps here in an Isomate Availability thread would see far more action had they been in the Pyramid Traps for Curculio thread that CJ posted earlier.]

I was told by Great Lakes that a different rep sold Isomate in Maryland and since the territories were exclusive they could not sell to me. So I ended up ordering Nomate spirals through them instead. This is certainly not a bogus issue.

I have been talking with Jim at Great Lakes IPM and was told that none of the spiral or twist tie mating disruptors are registered in Massachusetts, and therefore are not available here. He was told the market here is to small and they told him that they are unlikely to be registered here ever. Makes sense, I can wipe all life out of the orchard with whatever chemicals I want, I just am not allowed to take a light handed non-invasive approach.

This confusion about shipping and/or availability sounds like it has to do with the registration of specific products in your individual states. We went through some of this here in Maine over the winter, where some OMRI approved products commonly used by certified organic growers were not registered for use in the state. Apparently it is the product manufacturer's responsibility to register the products if they want to be able to sell them in certain states. That said, if a manufacturer doesn't see a solid market in your state, that may deter them from registering their products in your state. I'm not sure of the process, but I'm pretty sure it's not free!! In Maine, the State's Board of Pesticide Control has a searchable database on their website where you can check the registration of products. I imagine other states have the same lists.

Here's the story from the horse's mouth for the 2010 season for here in the East:

Regards to your inquiry. Below please find a state list and registration of Isomate products for the territory covered by CBC America (east coast and Ontario). You will note that none of our products are currently registered in NH, VT and ME. This has been due to a lack of expressed interest for our products in this area. In fact we did have registrations in prior years in ME and VT and had no sales. In addition, I checked with our distributors as late as 2 months ago and they said there was no interest or need at present time. We are far enough into the 2010 season that it would not be possible to obtain a state registration in those states in time for usage in 2010. If an interest is expressed, we would be willing to consider for another year if we knew what states and possible amount of interest. ISOMATE PRODUCTS ARE REGISTERED IN FOLLOWING STATES FOR 2010 - M100 (for OFM only): CT, MA, NY, PA, NJ, WV, VA, NC, GA, DE, MD CM/OFM TT: NY, PA, NY, WV, VA, NC, GA, MD