Bait-trap for bed bugs, how to make it yourself or buy an electronic one, reviews

What attracts bedbugs - bait for parasites

First you need to understand what these insects eat. Thus, the main source of useful substances and liquids for bed bugs is the blood of warm-blooded creatures. Human food is not attractive to bedbugs as it is to cockroaches. Likewise, food smells will not help catch these insects. They can be attracted by biological fluids and substances in the human body:

• body heat;
• carbon dioxide released during breathing;
• the smell of sweat: individual components at a certain stage of decomposition of the substance are attractive;
• sebum;
• earwax.

As for body odors, parasites do not react to specific components in the human body, but to compounds that are found in all warm-blooded animals. This means that animals, like people, are attractive to the bug.

However, bed parasites with great “enthusiasm” rush towards people.

This means that the choice of victim is influenced by the totality of the parameters of the human body. The possibility cannot be ruled out that bloodsuckers choose a new host taking into account body parameters - it is easier for them to puncture thin skin.

Bed bugs prefer humans as a food source.

What do bed bugs look like?

A bedbug is a blood-sucking insect that is an ectoparasite of humans and warm-blooded animals. Wikipedia considers it from the point of view of an obligate synatropic insect - its existence is completely connected with human life and housing. There are several types of bedbugs: black, white, brown.

If you already know firsthand what bed bugs look like and don’t want to learn their appearance and detection tips, you can skip straight to the extermination tips.

What do insects look like? The size of a bed bug ranges from 5 to 8.5 mm, with males always being smaller than females. Insects have a yellow, brown or dark brown color, which is directly caused by saturation with blood. The bug has a flat body, the front edge of the head is equipped with a special proboscis, which helps the insect pierce the skin and suck blood.

Stinging setae form the upper and lower jaws. They are divided into two channels: through the large channel, blood enters the body, and through the small channel, saliva is released for injection when bitten. To successfully exist in the vicinity of humans, house bugs are endowed not only with a miniature and flat body with low weight, but also with small notches on their paws, which allow them to move along walls and ceilings.

Many people are sure that bedbugs are able to fly and jump, but this is not the case; the bedbug does not have developed wings, and its legs are not adapted for jumping.

How to lure out bedbugs - the principle of operation of traps

Considering that parasites react to substances secreted by the human body, it is difficult to create a trap for bedbugs with your own hands. But there are still some methods. For example, devices that are installed in the path of parasite movement are particularly effective.

Foreign odors (for example, food) are not interesting to insects, so it is not advisable to use attractants. If you set a trap where the parasite is likely to crawl, it will work. Adhesive pads, containers with liquids and fatty components operate on this principle.

There are many options, but they have one thing in common - conditions are created under which the parasite cannot bypass the trap.

For this reason, they are usually installed as close as possible to a person’s sleeping place. There are also more complex devices, for example, carbon dioxide-based devices or pheromone traps. The principle of their operation is based on the ability to emit characteristic aromas that will attract only bedbugs.

Arina, 32 years old, Kazan

If I suspect the appearance of bedbugs (there has already been a case once), I simply do 2 things: I put the legs of the bed in homemade traps at night (a description of how to do this can be found if desired), and I hang a breathable fabric on top of the bed. In the morning I call the exterminators.

Irina, 42 years old, Moscow

I tried special traps for bedbugs, but they didn’t help. I saved myself with glue strips - I left it all over the apartment, and most importantly, next to the bed. And it was good - in the morning it was immediately clear who was crawling where.

Glue traps work

CO2 bedbug trap

List of things needed to make a trap: a source of carbon dioxide with the desired flow rate, a bottle or bowl with a hole in the bottom, a tube about 30 cm long, a small amount of talcum powder.

1. The first thing you need to do is provide yourself with a source of carbon dioxide. Its speed should be approximately 180 ml per minute. It's quite a bit and very easy to get in a regular store.
2. Once you find a source of carbon dioxide, take a small container of about 2 liters. There should be several exits from the container.
3. Place a small amount of talcum powder in a bowl. After spraying carbon dioxide, bedbugs. falling into the talc mass will die immediately.

The photograph shows a trap using talc

Types of traps

There are different ways to collect parasites when an apartment is infested. Conventionally, they are all divided into 2 groups:

• special, ready-to-use;
• homemade.

In addition, traps can be divided into types: chemical and non-chemical. The second option is preferable when there are children at home.

But to catch bedbugs you will need quite a lot of such devices.

To combat bedbugs you will need many traps

Chemical traps

The principle of operation may be different. Some varieties contain insecticides, while other bedbug traps emit scents that are designed to attract pests.

They contain special substances, but are effective only against certain types of bedbugs.

Trap Kombat

Such devices look like small boxes of low height. This allows you to install them even under low furniture. It contains an intestinal insecticide and an attractant. Thanks to this, cockroaches and ants are attracted, they crawl inside, taste the food, and at the same time receive a dose of poison.

However, this principle of operation does not contribute to the mass catching of house bugs.

Parasites will not be interested in attractants. They will not be affected by an intestinal insecticide, since this substance begins to work after entering the digestive tract.

The Kombat trap is ineffective against bedbugs

Bed Bug Beacon Trap

It is an umbrella made of polymer material, connected through a tube to a bottle containing carbon dioxide inside.

The principle of operation of such a bedbug trap is based on the reaction of bloodsuckers when searching for food.

Thus, bed bugs rush towards humans because they capture carbon dioxide exhaled by a potential victim.

Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide

Adhesive tapes

This is one of the easiest ways to catch parasites. If such strips/platforms are positioned correctly, you can catch a lot of bedbugs. Duct tape should be left around the person's sleeping area. This is where the insects flock. However, even Velcro will not work if the parasites have set up a nest inside the bed or sofa.

Then they will freely bite a person, regardless of how many traps are installed in the apartment. You can use ready-made devices, for example, buy Forssyth brand products. They are designed for cockroaches and contain an attractant, but the adhesive base is a universal way to catch any insects, even if the bait has no effect on them.

Larisa, 39 years old, Yaroslavl

I only had tape at my disposal, and not even double-sided. I made platforms and laid them out next to the bed, but it didn’t do anything. The bites appeared in the morning and continued to appear.

Irina, 27 years old, Tomsk

I made my own glue trap. I took cardboard and applied shoe glue (it takes a long time to harden). I caught some of the bugs, but this method cannot be used as the main one. I caught too few insects this way. It’s better to poison them right away with an insecticide.

Marina, 40 years old, Voronezh

I heard that in case of severe infection, only disinfestation will help. I decided to first try to reduce their number physically - I laid out strips of tape in many places. Every day I removed those that were dirty (if bedbugs were caught), but this is a long process, and the insects continued to bite.

Adhesive tapes do not always help

We make devices for catching bedbugs with our own hands

Consider various ways to combat parasites. The more diverse they are, the faster the bedbugs will disappear, because... exposed to many negative factors at once.

Inna, 28 years old, Orel

It wasn't difficult for me to cut the tape. I didn't even prepare the cardboard platforms. I just laid out the stripes. But I live alone, there are no animals, so no one bothered me to catch bedbugs in this way.

Elena, 37 years old, Veliky Novgorod

I had a lot of bedbugs at my dacha (we live there from spring to autumn). At first I tried to fight them with Velcro, I thought I could get by with a little bloodshed. But this method is probably for cases where there are few parasites. A strong insecticide helped me later.

Traps will not work against a large colony

Bean tops

You might think that the plant is used to prepare a decoction or tincture in order to subsequently influence the parasites with its smell. But this is not true, in fact, bean tops have an unexpected effect on bed bugs: there are a lot of fibers on the foliage. Considering that parasites move slowly and do not like obstacles in their path, you can try to stop them with the help of this plant.

Bean tops should be left wherever insects crawl.

Villi on the foliage prevent the movement of parasites

Plastic bottles

If you are studying material on how to make a bedbug trap, you should be one of the first to consider this option. Instructions:

1. You will need 4 bottles.
2. Cut off the lower part and sand the edges to reduce roughness.
3. Pour a small amount of vegetable oil or water.
4. Pour in flour, talc or powdered sugar.
5. Install the bed legs into these containers. Bed bugs will get stuck as they climb out of the bed on their way to their hiding places.

Plastic bottle traps are an easy way to catch parasites

Sticky method

Options to consider:

• stick double-sided tape on different surfaces;
• Cardboard substrates are prepared, they are covered with various sticky materials, tape and glue are suitable.

Double-sided tape is suitable for making traps

Herbs and spices

This method is more about repelling than attracting.

It is used as a preventive measure to protect an object from the penetration of insects.

You need to place herbs or spices around the apartment that emit a strong aroma. Most of all, bugs do not like valerian, wormwood, wild rosemary, rosemary, and thyme.

The persistent scent of rosemary repels bedbugs

Using chamomile

The plant contains natural insecticides. Chamomile from the Asteraceae family repels bedbugs, but at the same time contributes to damage to their nervous system. Consider different ways to use this plant:

• the raw materials are crushed to a powder and scattered everywhere;
• Mix ground chamomile with naphthalene, store in a dark place, and periodically use it to repel insects.

Bedbugs don't like chamomile

Homemade trap with so₂

Yeast should be used. When they combine with sugar, a reaction occurs that releases carbon dioxide. You need to prepare bait for bedbugs:

• cut a plastic bottle;
• components for fermentation are placed inside: sugar and yeast, a little water;
• Place the top of the bottle on top with the neck down;
• A cloth is fixed between the two parts of the bottle so that it hangs down to the surface on which the device stands - this will help the parasites climb to the CO2 source.

Parasites will be attracted to carbon dioxide

How to sleep with bedbugs in an apartment

While the fight against parasites is underway, you need to protect yourself from them. Different methods are used:

• the legs of the bed are installed in traps (described above);
• crushed chamomile is scattered under the mattress;
• double-sided tape is placed on the floor around the perimeter of the bed;
• the bed is moved away from the wall;
• a canopy is installed on top, the edges of the fabric should not go down to the floor, and if insects live under the mattress, you need to lay out the bottom of the canopy along its upper edge so that there are no folds.

Bed foot support

Pros and cons of traps

The main disadvantage of self-made traps is that it is difficult to lure insects into them. There are no special bait substances for bedbugs. After all, bedbugs are attracted only by human blood, and insects determine a sleeping person based on unique factors that are difficult to imitate.

With the help of traps it will not be possible to destroy the entire mass of insects or even most of them. But if the insects have not yet laid eggs, traps will be a good help in reducing the number of insects in the house.

Making traps for catching bedbugs yourself is quite easy. Using such a device will help you check your home for the degree of infestation in a couple of nights. If parasites have settled in a room, they will certainly fall into a trap, which will be a reason to take serious measures.

How to make an ultrasonic trap

The main design element is the ultrasound emitter. Most often, when making it yourself, it is possible to find and integrate such a part with a frequency of up to 36 kHz, but this is not always enough. Other design elements:

• resistors (5 pcs.), used to adjust the parameters of the power source;
• transistors (2 pcs.);
• capacitors (2 pcs.);
• diode;
• toggle switch

Transistors and capacitors create a frequency circuit. The diode is necessary for safe operation of the device.

Making an ultrasonic trap

Advantages and disadvantages

To make a trap, you do not need to purchase expensive materials. But it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of such devices, for which their advantages are studied:

• simplicity of the device: available products (for example, yeast) are used to attract parasites; insects can be repelled with strong-smelling herbs;
• absence of toxic components;
• Traps for home bugs can be used at home where there are children and allergy sufferers.

There are many disadvantages of such devices:

• low efficiency; a bedbug trap cannot be used as an independent measure;
• the need to frequently change the means used (glue, tape, herbs, etc.);
• traps do not work when parasites have established a nest inside the sleeping area;
• surfaces get dirty: if you stick double-sided tape, place the bed legs in containers with vegetable oil, etc.;
• The eggs of parasites are not destroyed, only larvae and adults are caught.

Traps will not get rid of bedbugs that have bred inside the sleeping area

"Sweet" trap using cups

To make the simplest bedbug trap, you will need large and small plastic cups. Powdered sugar is poured into a larger glass and 5-10 drops of vegetable oil are added.

A smaller glass is inserted into a larger one, and the resulting structure is placed under the sofa or bed legs. Bedbugs that go “hunting” at night will definitely get into the sticky and viscous mixture, after which it will be difficult for them to get out of it. In the morning you only need to remove the insects from the device and get rid of them.

Instead of cups, you can use plastic plates, replace the powdered sugar and butter with a thick layer of talc, and apply graphite lubricant along the edges of the container. You can also take any deep container and pour plain water into it. Dishes with water are similarly placed under the legs of the bed.

Where can I buy and at what price?

The cost of a finished trap depends on its type. For comparison, insecticidal devices can be purchased for 250-350 rubles. More complex devices (for example, Bed Bug Beacon) are less affordable - 3,500 rubles. Moreover, they cannot be found everywhere.

The easiest way to buy a trap is through an online store.

Simple insecticidal, but less effective Combat bedbug traps can be found in hardware stores.

Bed bugs trapped in Bed Bug Beacon

Reviews

Larisa, 42 years old, Vladimir

I wanted to destroy bedbugs quietly, in a safe way, I tried different devices: an electronic repeller, traps, and even applied tape myself. But it didn’t help, their numbers grew. In my case, insecticides solved the problem.

Olga, 34 years old, St. Petersburg

When I noticed the first bites on my body, I put tape on the legs of the bed and placed glue pads around it too. The next day a couple of bedbugs stuck. That was the end of their great migration.

Marina, 29 years old, Ekaterinburg

When I was poisoning cockroaches, I placed traps with glue everywhere. How surprised I was when I also found bedbugs on them. I didn’t even know that I had them, I recently noticed that mosquito bites began to appear.

Andrey, 45 years old, Saratov

I had my doubts about glue traps, but I liked the idea of ​​safely killing parasites. I ordered a carbon dioxide trap. Expensive, but it works interestingly: it collected some of the bedbugs, but obviously not all, because someone else bit me in my apartment after using this device for a week.

Irina, 46 years old, Rostov-on-Don

I liked the yeast based method. I decided to “play around” - for the sake of experiment I made such a trap. But at the same time, the husband and sons worked with insecticides. So, there is an effect, but not too strong. But the drug killed the remaining individuals.

Insecticides will get rid of parasites not caught in the trap

Effective and fast-acting liquid preparations:

• Tetrix for bedbugs. One of the best and one of the few products used by professional exterminators. It is expensive, but very effective. Containing citrometrin and metaphos, these substances paralyze and quickly kill insects. One treatment guarantees a protective effect for up to 3 weeks. It works on adult insects and eggs, but you still need to re-treat 10-14 days after the first. A few hours, or better yet 1-2 days after treatment, you need to ventilate the apartment well and you can return to it. The entire apartment will need to be vacuumed and washed in 4-5 days.
• Fufanon (malathion). Fast-acting contact insecticide at an affordable price, less toxic than classic dichlorvos or karbofos. The main advantages of the drug are that it is destructive to adult insects and eggs, and bedbugs are not able to adapt to the poisons in its composition. The entire population dies out 3-4 days after treatment; in case of severe infection, repeated treatment is required after 2 weeks.
• An effective product based on chlorpyrifos, without a specific odor. Affects the nervous system of insects. Bedbugs exposed to the drug do not die immediately, but manage to infect their relatives.
• Forsyth. An effective product with a strong unpleasant odor. Highly toxic, increased safety precautions should be observed. The main advantage is that it affects not only adult insects, but also eggs. The protective effect of the treatment lasts up to 3 months.
• Empire. A product with a pleasant citrus aroma. Kills insects within 24 hours. Low hazard class for humans and warm-blooded animals. Approved for use in children's institutions.

Such good drugs as:

• Executioner;
• Phoxide;
• Riapan;
• Neopine;
• Carbosol.

It is liquid products that allow you to do it quickly at home. Insects caught under the spray jet die within a few hours or days (depending on the composition of the drug), the rest die from contact with the treated surface. But we must not forget about the laid eggs of insects, because most poisons do not penetrate their shell. That is why repeated treatments are required after 5-14 days (according to the instructions on the packaging of a particular product).

Expert advice

Evgenia Vitalievna Marinina, entomologist specialist, 16 years of work experience:

Marinina Evgenia Vitalievna

Entomologist, researcher. Work experience 16 years.

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• traps give results only at the initial stage of infection, when there are few parasites; • if there are a lot of bedbugs, using such devices you can check which insects have entered the home and are biting family members; • traps help to contain parasites at the stage of disinsection of an apartment so that they do not bite, when you need to wait several days until the bedbugs are completely destroyed.

Sticky insect traps