A wide variety of traps are available for catching insect pests. For example, slugs and snails are attracted to stale beer in a shallow pan, such as a pie tin, set into the ground. They drown in the brew.

Whiteflies are attracted to the color yellow (same shade as on a traffic sign). When a colored stake, wooden panel, or jug is coated with a sticky material such as motor oil, large numbers of whiteflies will get stuck to it. Wrap the object with clear plastic wrap before applying the oil with a brush to make cleanup easier. Prepared traps are also available in garden shops under various brands. While this method of trapping has been commercially used for monitoring and less seldom for control in greenhouses, there is little evidence it gives adequate control outside.

Japanese beetle traps are available in many garden shops. A sex pheromone and a synthetic food-type lure are used as bait. Because both are based on scent, large numbers of beetles will fly long distances to come to the trap. While many beetles are lured, they unfortunately do not all go into the trap. Many linger to feed on foliage in your garden, so you could easily have more damage with the trap than without. Because control is questionable, the trap is not recommended.

There is little or no evidence that light traps designed for outside use , such as patio bug zappers, have any value in controlling garden pests.