If anyone suspects having bed bugs, bed bug traps are a cost-effective way to confirm or deny the presence of bugs. If the infestation is confirmed, traps can make your bed a safety zone to decrease or totally stop the bites while you sleep. In this article we will help you find the Best Traps for bed bugs that are suited to your needs.
Do Bed Bug Traps Work?
Bed Bug Traps will deliver tangible results for some purposes such as detecting the presence of bed bugs in the early phase of an infestation, reducing bug population and creating a safe zone where they cannot enter. If traps such as interceptor cups are placed beneath the bed posts. They will isolate your bed from outside bed bugs.
In some cases, traps can prevent an infestation if the level of the infestation is in its early stages. If not, you cannot rely on traps alone but you should rather follow a DIY bed bug extermination process, involving among others traps.
What to consider when choosing the Best Bed Bug Traps
Active Traps vs Passive Traps
Active traps use chemical substances such as pheromone or carbon dioxide or in some cases heat, to attract the bugs to the trap where they will find either glue or insecticide. They require to be set up for an extended period of time. Some active traps need to be renewed to preserve their effectiveness as the surface of the trap will not stay sticky for extended periods of time. Some active traps require the use of electricity to function and are generally more expensive than passive traps.
Passive traps are placed in areas where they are likely to pass by such as the bed posts or in the box spring. When the bug crawls over the trap they will be captured due to a sticky surface or a disposed cup onto which they could not climb over. Generally passive traps do not use chemical substances to lure the bugs like active traps. Passive traps are very cost effective and should be used during a DIY bed bug eradication process.
Longevity
Consider longevity when picking a trap. For example, sticky traps that feature glue should be replaced every two weeks as the glue will be overwhelmed with dead bugs or dust after such a period of time. Usually, the rule is that passive traps have a better longevity compared to active traps. Picking a trap that lasts longer will be more cost effective and easier to manage.
Safety
Bed bug traps are usually placed in bedrooms so non toxicity is an important feature to consider. You should avoid traps containing insecticide or harsh chemicals that could be harmful to you and your surroundings.
Price
You might have to buy traps in bulk if the level of infestation is severe and they are spread in different parts of your furniture. As this could increase your budget, if you are in this situation you should check for package deals. Do not forget to check the per unit price to ensure that buying in package is the cheapest option.
Different types of bed bugs traps
Bed bugs interceptors cup traps
Interceptors cup traps are passive traps that feature two cups. Those two cups encase one another. They are placed beneath the bed posts. As they crawl to the bed to feed on the sleeping human, they get stuck in the outside cup layer. Because they are not able to climb such slippery and straight surfaces. Bed bugs Interceptors will make your bed a safe zone from outside bed bugs which will decrease the number of bites you get when sleeping. They also do not use chemical substances to lure them and they work indefinitely as they do not need replacement.
Glue Traps
Glue traps are passive traps that are placed along baseboards or other areas that they are likely to cross. They trap the bugs by being sticky due to the glue surface. If you place glue traps in strategic areas then they will have to walk on them to get to you. The advantage of Glue traps is that they are cheap. They are also easy to find on sale by buying them in packages. Also, they are very easy to place anywhere in the room which can be convenient during an infestation.
Bed Bug Pheromone Trap
Pheromones are chemicals emitted by bed bugs when they are mating that are attractants to them. Pheromone traps are active traps that use pheromones to lure and attract them into the trap. They are useful to reduce bug population but you should replace them once in a while as their pheromones will lose effect with time.
Bed Bug CO2 Traps
The CO2 we exhale while asleep, attracts Bed bugs. CO2 traps are classified as active traps. They will attract and lure them by emitting CO2 to trap them in a pitfall or a glue trap. For better effectiveness some CO2 traps such as the Nightwatch Bed Bug Monitor will combine CO2 to pheromones and heat in order to mirror human sleep and lure them in.
7 Benefits of Bed Bug Traps
- Reduce bug population and the number of potential bites
- For an early detection
- Bed bug interceptors cups placed beneath the bed posts will isolate your bed from bed bugs coming from outside. This will stop them from biting you when you are asleep.
- Traps raps usually do not use harsh chemicals and are non-toxic to you and your surroundings
- For a proof of infestation to show to your landlord
- To monitor bed bug population during an infestation
- As a preventive tool, in case you are coming back from a bed bugs friendly place, such as hotels or public transport.
Tips to use Bed Bug Traps
Even though you may have in your arsenal the best traps for bed bugs, you would still need to use them properly for best results.
Here are some tips for bed bug traps:
- Don’t use active traps if you live with pets. Active traps use a lure to trap them but as pets could stick their paws in them, due to their curiosity and the smell emitted by the traps. If you want to use active traps ensure the traps are out of reach of your pets.
- When using bed bug interceptor cups, then place them under the bed posts. You should also move your bed away from the wall, so the only pathway to your bed for outside bed bugs is through the interceptors cups. The CO2 we exhale attracts them. So, they will be lure to them and will trap them into the interceptors cups only if you are sleeping in that bed.
- Place passive traps where they are likely to cross over. That could be the bed posts, the box spring or any infested furniture.
- No need to add pesticide to a bed bug trap. pesticide could emit chemicals that could be harmful to people and animals.
- Do not rely on traps solely. Their purpose is either to detect, reduce bug population or create a safety zone. Traps should not be your only weapon against bed bugs but should be incorporated in a DIY extermination plan.
- Traps alone are not a solution. Most bed bug traps are simply early detection systems. They can be extremely difficult to remove from a home. If the trap captures some bugs, it may be time to call in the pros to eliminate them.
- When you have collected dead bugs from a trap you should carefully put them into a sealed plastic bag and trash that bag outside of your home. You can also spray some insecticide inside the plastic bag as a precaution to ensure they will not escape from it.
FAQ
How to prevent Bed Bugs from getting in your Bed?
The path for bed bugs in your bed are the bed posts. By placing an Interceptor cup beneath each bedpost, you will prevent them from climbing onto your bed and your bed will be a safe zone from outside bugs.
How to trap Bed Bugs that lived in your bed?
If bed bugs are already in your mattress, box spring or bed frame, then you should get a mattress encasement. This encasement will trap bugs inside your mattress so that they cannot escape from it to bite you at night. Once trapped in your mattress then they will starve to death after several months. If you combine an encasement with Interceptor cup traps then they should not be able to bite you when you are sleeping. Preferably you should select an encasement that covers both the mattress and box spring.
Which bed bug trap does not work?
Most homemade DIY traps require more effort than they are efficient. Some bought store traps as well just do not do the job for bed bugs.
Here are the traps that you should skip when dealing with an infestation:
Dry Ice Trap
The CO2 we exhale attracts Bed bugs. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide and will emit CO2 emissions to attract them in a trap. The issue here is that the trap will be competing with the amount of CO2 that you are exhaling when sleeping. As a result, you should only use dry ice traps in empty rooms.
Also, dry ice bed bug traps are never going to capture every bug in your home but are rather useful to detect an infestation. Those traps will not bring you much considering their subpar effectiveness in exterminating them. Also, this method can be dangerous as dry ice has a temperature of -109 °F and as a result can burn and damage skin.
Homemade trap involving Baby powder
The method is to sprinkle baby powder in areas where they are likely to pass by such as around the bed frames or in crack or crevices around infested furniture
There is no evidence that baby powder is effective in getting rid of them. Indeed, its properties are not sharp enough to penetrate the shell of a bug, which would cause them to dehydrate.
Moth balls
The method is to place mothballs in areas where there is a suspected bed bug presence such as around the bed frames or in the box spring or underneath infested furniture.
Scientific studies have found some effectiveness to moth balls against them. However, Moth balls on their own are not sufficient for getting rid of them. We do not recommend using Moth Ball in your process due to their low effectiveness.
Reviews of the Best Traps for Bed bugs
Best glue trap: Harris Bed Bug Early Detection Traps
Harris is a trusted manufacturer in pest control. They have produced quality and effective traps for decades. Harris Bed Bug Early Detection Traps is a pesticide free glue trap that features a wide sticking surface to trap them. You can use these traps for early detection or to monitor that they did not return after you started a DIY extermination process. The Harris Bed Bug Early Detection Glue Traps is an easy to use and cost-effective option trap.
Pros
- Free of Pesticide
- Discreet – not eye catching when placed under furniture or bed
- Easy to set up – Just need to fold and insert the tab and you are ready to go
- Natural glue with high sticking value, which will prevent them from escaping
- Long lasting- Up to 90 days if not full
Cons
- Does not work when placed on carpet.
- Excellent trap to monitor and detect bed bugs however alone it will not resolve an infestation
Best interceptor cup trap: Climbup Insect Interceptor Bed Bug Trap
ClimbUp Interceptors is an indispensable tool when dealing with bed bugs. It features plastic cups that are pesticide-free with polished plastic interior that are too slick for them to climb out of. You should place these interceptors cups traps beneath each of 4 bed posts (or other furniture). They have 2 rings so that outside bugs will fall in the outer ring. After that when trying to leave the bed, they will fall in the inner ring. Due to the dual rings, you will be able to know if they are coming from outside or inside your bed. By cutting off access to your bed you stop the food supply for them. They will starve within months without food and you will finally get a good night’s sleep. Climbup Interceptors are one of the most essential weapons that you need for a DIY treatment.
Pros
- Will create a bed bugs free zone in your bed or in other furniture
- Perfect for monitoring and detecting bed bugs
- Durable because crack-resistant
- Versatile – Designed for various furniture such as beds, chairs, sofas or tables or any furniture with a leg
- Easy to use – Just put it underneath of bed posts
- Free of pesticide and environmentally friendly
Cons
- Pets may try to chew on the interceptor’s cup
- Will not work on bed or furniture without legs
Best bed bugs pheromone lure trap: Ortho Home Defense Bed Bug Trap
This is an active trap that relies on pheromones to attract them and glue to trap them. To use the Ortho Bed Bugs, you need to remove the sticker from the adhesive pad to put it at the bottom and then to switch the button to start the pheromone’s release. The pheromone lure will be active for up to two weeks. After that you need to replace the trap to attract new bugs. This pheromone lure trap can be a nice help to detect and monitor bugs and is a nice option for pet owners but it is not an essential tool in a DIY treatment.
Pros
- Will help detect and monitor bed bugs
- Very affordable
- Chemical-free – not harmful for health
Cons
- Catch not only bed bugs but also mosquitos and other insect passing by
- Not reusable
- The sticking surface can be a bit messy to set up