The Watch: Corn Rootworm & Beetle Monitoring FAQs

What is The Watch?
The Watch is Bayer’s corn rootworm monitoring program. It’s designed to help growers understand pest pressure in their fields so they can make more informed trait and management decisions before next season. Participants receive sticky traps, monitoring guidance, educational resources and expert support.

Why should I participate?
Your CRW pressure is different from everyone else’s. Participating helps you understand the beetle pressure in your fields, make informed trait decisions, compare pressure across locations and contribute to regional pest monitoring efforts. Plus, you become eligible to receive rewards if you submit your data.

How do I sign up?
Fill out the registration form here, during The Watch program (May-July annually)

Is there a cost?
No. Participation in The Watch and Bayer’s Beetle Monitoring Program is free.

What’s the difference between The Watch and Bayer’s Beetle Monitoring Program?
The Watch is focused on helping farmers learn their CRW pressure. Anyone who signs up receives a free Corn Rootworm Pressure Starter Kit with 4 sticky traps, educational resources and scouting guides. When you sign up for The Watch, you are automatically entered to win a name-brand smartwatch. There is no data submission required, but we encourage it!

The Beetle Monitoring Program is an optional, enhanced participation track within The Watch. You can opt in during sign-up. You’ll receive a larger monitoring kit for more fields. This program requires you to monitor your fields, collect data and submit it to Bayer. When you opt in, not only are you entered into the smartwatch sweepstakes, but you also become eligible for tiered prizes after submitting your data.

What’s a tiered prize?
If you submit data from 1–5 fields, you qualify for the tier 1 prize, a pair of heavy-duty gloves.

If you submit data from 6–10 fields, you qualify for the tier 2 prize, a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones.

You cannot win both tiered prizes. Participants only receive the prize associated with the highest tier they qualify for. Submitting 6 fields will not win you both prizes. One prize maximum per participant.

Is there only one grand prize winner?
No. After submitting data, up to 30 people can become eligible to win a name-brand smartwatch. We have 30 watches for 30 winners.

Can I still participate if I farm multiple locations?
Yes. A single participant can monitor and submit data from multiple fields.

How many sticky traps should I set?
Install 4 sticky traps per field for a 7-day monitoring period. You should monitor your field(s) for approximately 2–4 weeks, following the instructions included with your monitoring kit.

How many sticky traps should I set if I opt into the Beetle Monitoring Program?
Install 4 sticky traps per field for a 7-day period. Divide total bugs by the number of traps, and then divide that by the number of days to get the weekly average. Remember: Keep this number in a safe place; you will need it to submit your data later in the season. Continue to monitor each field for 2–4 weeks. Remember: Every week, you must install 4 new traps in your field.

What information do I need to collect?
Field coordinates, average beetle count per trap, monitoring dates and any additional information requested in the submission form here.

Can I monitor fewer than 4 weeks?
If you don’t monitor for at least 4 weeks, you won’t qualify for the giveaway or the tiered prizes (if you’ve opted into the Beetle Monitoring Program). We strongly suggest that you complete the full monitoring period from start to finish.

When do I submit my data?
All field data must be submitted by September 16, 2026. You’ll receive an email at the end of the program that links to the submission form. Late submissions may not qualify for rewards.

How do I submit my data?
Use Bayer’s online Beetle Monitoring submission form, which will be available on our data collection site during the submission window.

Can I submit data more than once?
Nope. You get one chance to submit your monitoring data. Be sure all fields you want counted are included in your submission.

Why is data submission important?
Monitoring corn rootworm activity in your fields and reporting your data supports a larger effort to understand and manage these costly pests. In the absence of consistent national field-level data, local and regional beetle surveys provide essential insight into insect pressure across the landscape. These insights enable more confident decisions around hybrid and trait selection, crop rotation, and integrated pest management strategies that ensure the right solutions are in place next season before damage can occur.

Common Questions

I signed up, but I haven’t received my traps. What should I do?
Contact your Bayer representative or the support contact listed in your enrollment communication to verify your shipping information and enrollment status.

Does submitting more beetles improve my chances of receiving a prize?
No. Rewards are based on completing the monitoring requirements and submitting qualifying field data, not on beetle counts.

Will my submitted field data be used for regional pressure monitoring?
Yes. Bayer uses submitted monitoring data to help improve the understanding of corn rootworm pressure and support educational resources for growers.

Still have questions?
Visit The Watch program page, or reach out to a Bayer Team member for the latest program updates, monitoring resources and official rules.