The thought of having bed bugs invade your home is enough to make your skin crawl.
But before you rip up your carpet and throw away your mattress, let’s look at ways you can remove bed bugs yourself (if you notice the signs of a bed bug infestation already).
Bed bugs aren’t dangerous and they won’t hurt you. However, they are difficult to remove without professional help and DIY methods will take longer to eradicate them, if at all. Bed bug traps are one method you can use before calling an expert to remove them for you.
What are bed bugs traps and how well do they work?
These traps work by luring them into a trap and catching them, thus reducing the population of bugs in your home. There are different traps available so you have to choose the best one suitable for the job. Typically, they work to stop bugs from climbing into your bed from the bed frame or other areas of your room. However, they don’t work well to stop bugs that are already inside your mattress.
What types of bed bug traps are available?
1) Passive Traps
A passive trap works to prevent bugs from getting to their chosen hiding place, such as a couch, bed, or furniture. One such example of a passive trap is the glue trap. These are similar to fly paper, as they are sticky and help catch bugs before they find a home or have their next meal.
However, they don’t contain insecticides and therefore may not repel many bugs. Another example is the interceptor trap. As bugs find it difficult to climb smooth surfaces, this trap can catch them as they attempt to climb into your bed.
2) Active traps
Active bed bug traps often contain carbon dioxide, or pheromones to lure the bugs into the trap. Once they’re in, it’s hard for them to get out as the sides are smooth and steep, making it easy for you to simply empty the container.
How to use bed bug traps?
You will need to place a trap on each bedpost, as bugs tend to climb them at night to get into your bed. Avoid adding pesticides to the trap, as these are harmful to pets as well as humans.
Overall, traps do work. They’re useful when monitoring the activity of bed bugs and to help spot the early signs of an infestation. They are also a short-term solution to reduce the population before an appointment with an expert.
However, no DIY bed bug treatment is as effective at eliminating bed bugs as a professional-grade treatment. Always contact an expert pest controller to advise you on what steps you need to take.
For free advice and professional bed bug treatments in Scotland and Yorkshire, get in touch with The Bed Bugs Experts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do bed bug traps actually work?
Bed bug traps can be useful for monitoring and reducing numbers, but they are not a complete solution. They help detect activity and catch some bugs, but they will not eliminate a full infestation on their own.
What types of bed bug traps are most effective?
Interception traps placed under bed legs and sticky traps used for monitoring are commonly used. They work best as part of a wider treatment plan rather than a standalone control method.
Can traps get rid of bed bugs completely?
No, traps alone cannot eliminate bed bugs because they do not reach hidden bugs and eggs in mattresses, furniture, and wall voids. Professional treatment is usually required for full eradication.
Where should bed bug traps be placed?
They are typically placed under bed legs, near sleeping areas, and along walls or furniture edges where bed bugs are likely to travel while searching for a host.
Are bed bug traps useful for early detection?
Yes, traps can be helpful for early detection by indicating activity before a full infestation becomes obvious, allowing for quicker intervention.
What is the best way to deal with bed bugs overall?
The most effective approach is combining traps with professional treatments such as heat or targeted insecticides, along with regular inspection and monitoring.