If you think your nights are being disturbed by loathsome, bloodsucking pests but you aren’t able to locate them, then you could use the help of a bed bug interceptor. But what are bed bug interceptors? And how do you use them? Bed bug interceptors are a simple and useful tool that can be placed underneath the bed to detect and manage a bed bug infestation.
What is a Bed Bug Interceptor?
If you think you have a bed bug problem, then you’ll need something both to detect and monitor the infestation. Bed bug interceptors are traps that do just that.
These traps look like plastic cups or dishes that have an outer ring or “moat” designed to detain bed bugs.
Here are a few ways bed bug interceptor traps can help detect and monitor an infestation. They can:
- Stop bed bugs from reaching the bed
- Determine if bed bugs are present
- Assess the effectiveness of a bed bug treatment
How Do Bed Bug Interceptors Work?
Bed bug interceptor traps take advantage of bed bugs’ lack of skill at climbing slick, vertical surfaces. Bed bugs are able to climb the coarse exterior of the trap, but the interceptor works as a pitfall, holding bed bugs prisoner within the slippery interior of the cup, which prevents them from crawling out.
How to Use Bed Bug Interceptors
For the best results, here is what you should do:
Step 1: Place one interceptor trap under each bedpost. Ensure the bed is neither touching the walls nor has any bedding or dust sheets touching the floor. This is so the bed bugs have no other routes to take to the floor except for the bed posts.
Step 2: Lightly coat the inside of the trap with talcum powder, baby powder, cornstarch, or diatomaceous earth (DE). None of these materials are toxic to bed bugs (with the exception of DE, which dehydrates them), but they make it harder for bed bugs to escape the trap.
Step 3: It may not be very appealing, but you’ll have better luck catching bed bugs in the interceptor if you use yourself as bait. Bed bugs are blood suckers, so they will be attracted to the warm body sleeping on the bed.
Step 4: Check the bed bug interceptors every morning for a period of 1-2 weeks. Bed bugs feed every 3-7 days, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see any activity for the first couple of nights.
If you regularly find bed bugs inside the trap, then it’s time to call in a reliable pest control company that specializes in bed bugs.
Do Bed Bug Interceptors Work?
Photo Credit: louento.pix / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
Bed bug interceptors work very well at identifying bed bug activity. In fact, they are an industry standard with a 96% success rate, according to a study by Healthy Housing Solutions. They are significantly more effective for detecting bed bugs than visual inspections or resident interviews.
Keep in mind that interceptors are for detecting and monitoring infestations, not eliminating them. The best way to treat bed bugs is to clean regularly and call in a pest control service.
How to Clean Bed Bug Interceptors
You should clean your interceptor traps at least every 2-4 weeks to prevent a build up of dust and remove any bed bugs that are inside.
If there are bed bugs inside the trap, then the bed bugs should be immersed in soapy water and then flushed away. Or you can dump them into a sealed plastic bag and throw them into an outdoor trash can so there isn’t a risk of having them return to your home.
If there aren’t any bed bugs inside the trap, then you can simply dust the inside with a rag or clean them with hot soapy water the same way you would a dish. Recoat the inside with diatomaceous earth or cornstarch if you plan on using the traps again
Where to Buy Bed Bug Interceptors
Packs of bed bug interceptors are available in most hardware stores, or they can be purchased online. Here are some of the best brands to consider:
Homemade Interceptors for Bed Bugs
It’s actually very easy to make a simple and affordable DIY bed bug interceptor trap. You just need a few materials:
- Small plastic food storage container
- Medium plastic food storage container
- Duct tape
- Glue
- Baby powder, cornstarch, or diatomaceous earth
Once you have all of your materials, it’s time to start assembling your DIY trap.
- Step 1: Cover the outside of the medium container with duct tape so the bed bugs can climb into (but not out of) the trap.
- Step 2: Glue the smaller container in the center of the medium container.
- Step 3: Fill the outer ring of the trap with a light layer of your powder of choice.
- Step 4: Place the trap under the bed, with the bedpost resting in the center of the smallest container.
Now that you know how to make your DIY trap, you can make as many traps as you need for all of the beds and furniture you plan to monitor. Here’s a video to show you how.
FAQ About Bed Bug Interceptors
How Long Can Bed Bugs Last Without Food?
In cold temperatures, bed bugs can live without food for up to 400 days.
How Do I Use Bed Bug Interceptors For Beds Without Legs?
The best solution is to purchase bed risers for the corners of your bed. This will lift your bed up a few inches so that you can place the interceptor trap underneath. You can purchase bed risers online or at most home improvement stores.
How Long Does it Take For Bed Bugs to Dehydrate?
Bed bugs are able to resist dehydration if they feed regularly, but if they aren’t feeding regularly, it’s easier for them to dry out. A starving bed bug in a room temperature environment will dehydrate within 70 days.
If you want bed bugs to dehydrate faster inside your interceptor trap, then you should coat it with diatomaceous earth. Once they come into contact with this material, they will succumb to dehydration in a matter of days.
Hire a Pro
Once your traps start showing results, it’s time to call a pest control pro. Let Pest Gnome connect you with a local pest control pro today for bed bugs or other pest issues.
Pest Gnome participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Pest Gnome may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.
Main Image Credits: Gilles San Martin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
