Bed Bug Traps

Pros: Affordable, non-toxic (and only?) tool for monitoring for infestations Can work, but see below Most of the cons, excepting instructions, are sort of due to nature of bed bugs, as said, there is likely no better way to monitor Cons: Instructions are minimal, hard-to-see pics of how to fold, mainly No attractants, so catching bed bugs is at worst random, at best due to good placement of multiple traps Can take a long time to catch anything, due to above Even if you catch something, can be hard to identify it I bought these because a friend, who had been to my house, and I to his, found he had bed bugs. I searched, and could find no signs, but thought I'd get these, as can't hurt.. I think these can work, but there's a few things to bear in mind: they are only for monitoring, not to get rid of bed bugs. Also, they have nothing that attracts bed bugs, and for them to work, bed bugs have to "stumble upon" them, so multiple traps in different likely locations is a must. Also, re-position the traps multiple times, if they keep coming up empty, but you think you have bed bugs and see below about patience! The traps resemble bed bug hide-outs, so look like an attractive place to hide. The instructions for folding them are only small pictures, and it's hard to see them or work out from the info how these work. They should be folded flat, with the flaps in middle closed, so that the 2 halves are close together in the middle, but there's a little gap at the ends (see pics 1 and 2 ), where the bugs can enter. The shorter sides - with the widest gap - should be laid in line with where you think bed bugs might encounter them, although they can also enter via the open longer side. So, say, on the edge of the mattress, right next to the seam, with the short side towards the seam, preferably on underside of mattress - maybe attach to mattress with double-sided tape. Then when the bed bugs come out, or return there to hide, they instead encounter the trap. Another thing is it's hard to definitely identify what you've caught, but that's not really the product's fault. Bed bugs take multiple "instars" to grow to adult size, and before that, are tiny. The eggs hatch within 2 weeks, and initially, they are very, very small. Then they feed, and shed their skin, emerging one size bigger, which happens 4 or even 5 times before they get to full size, which is still quite small.. My traps have caught what are likely small bed bugs, but which I wouldn't even have recognised as insects, without my iphone's magnifiying app and switching on the torch, too. Or maybe I need to re-treat my cats for fleas.. But looking at the photos (which even without magnification, are clearer than viewing directly), I think these are probably bed bugs. Yuck! Sorry about pics, but shows these things can work. If you do find bed bugs, options for getting rid of them are limited to variations of one ingredient, Permethrin and varieties thereof. Whether in bomb form, as powder or as spray, anything you can buy in UK will have that, and at most, an Insect Growth Regulator in addition, which then makes it far more expensive.. Powder is best, far preferable to spray. Permethrin type ingredients are toxic to cats, and possibly rabbits, but not to dogs. I will exclude cats from treated area and try insect powder (for any type of insect, it is all the same thing now, anyway) sprinkling it generously on edges of mattress and around the bed, and vacuum very thoroughly a few days later. I will also use some diatomaceous earth I bought for plant pests. That works by dissolving the chitin in their shell, but requires close, prolonged contact. Also, will wash bedding at over 60 C and continue monitoring with traps. Have not been bitten, but then bed bugs can also feed on pets or go for long periods without food. I will also treat my cats for fleas, which will kill any bed bugs that might feed on them. I used 3 traps for a single bed, and 2 have caught something: pic 3 and 4 show traps at 1:1 size (middle insect in 1st is defo a fly), then sections with the bugs heavily magnified. One last thing to note: I have had these down for months, and only now have they caught anything. But it might also take a long time to catch any, as this depends on the bed bugs encountering the traps, so patience is also required. Conversely, if you find a lot of adult bed bugs, you have a heavy infestation. Based on what is available, these are definitely a useful monitoring tool. I think a lot of the negative reviews are based on unrealistic expectations of what these can achieve.. and the instructions could be a lot clearer!

For us , this did trap very small pin prick sized bugs that had just hatched ...but not any small, medium or adult bugs

OKAY

These cardboard traps are simple to put together and are unobtrusive. You simply fold out the trap, peel off the adhesive in the middle, then fold it back up. I'm rubbish at crafting-type things and found it easy, so I'd say it should be easy for the majority of people. The end result is a very slim rectangle, with enough space for a bed bug to get inside and get stuck to the adhesive. Apparently they mimic the sort of places bed bugs like to go. I tucked a couple around my bed - they haven't caught any bugs yet, but I haven't been bitten either so hopefully it means they have gone! It adds to peace of mind having them there though, and I'll keep them around now as you never know when you might pick up these pests (which are becoming more common) and the earlier you catch an infestation, the better chance you have of clearing it (particularly if you are keen to avoid the costs of a pest controller). They might also be a good way for someone who is very anxious about bed bugs to feel more confident when travelling - they're really small, so you could put one in a hotel room as a precaution.

‘It’s a trap!’ But it isn’t. What it is is an origami project with a sticky backed plastic lining. The theory, which sounds awesome on paper, is that you fold this cardboard structures into open sided boxes that have been cunningly lined with self adhesive sheets that lure and ensnare unsuspecting bugs to their doom. I.e. a ‘Trap’. That, however, would suggest that said bugs and creepy crawlies would fall prey to the irresistible lure of the ‘Trap’. They don’t. There is no irresistible lure. There is nothing to entice the bug, who has already found themselves a happy little home and is breeding with supernatural gusto, to abandon it all and launch themselves onto a bed of glue. The entire system relies on kamikaze bugs electing to end it all like the heroine of a doomed romance novel. So, the reality is that these ‘Trap / Indicators’ have been next to useless. Ten have been deployed, in all of the areas of ‘High Traffic’ as prescribed by Dr Google, and so far I have caught 6 dust bunnies and half an ant. The professionals I employed to exterminate the infestation left with a bag full of the fallen corpses of my enemies, yet the ‘Traps’ had none. Maybe the bugs could read the instructions on the box and decided to hold a risk assessment meeting before proceeding, who knows.

Work brilliant job

Great

Its not at all worthy