I want to use traps for bed bugs, with my own hands at home from improvised materials you can make different options. I have already managed to find a few simple ones: from duct tape, with water. For this you do not need to buy anything. Everything you need is available at hand. It remains a matter of a small thing - to determine the effectiveness of this method of catching vermin. Tell me, in your opinion, as a professional with extensive experience with bed bugs, is it worthwhile or not. I would be grateful if you could pay attention.
The author of the portal answers the question:
What attracts bed bugs - bait for parasites
First, we need to understand what these Insects. Thus, the main source of nutrients and fluids for bed bugs is the blood of warm-blooded creatures. Human food is not as attractive to bed bugs as it is to cockroaches. Likewise, food smells won't help catch these insects. They can be attracted to bodily fluids, substances in the human body:
- body heat;
- carbon dioxide emitted during breathing;
- the smell of sweat: individual components at a certain stage of decomposition of the substance are attractive;
- skin grease;
- earwax.
As for body odors, parasites do not react to certain components in the human body, but to compounds that are found in all warm-blooded animals. So, animals, just like humans, are attractive to bedbug.
However, bed parasites with great "enthusiasm" rush to people.
So the choices are. victims is influenced by the totality of a person's body parameters. They do not rule out the possibility that bloodsuckers choose a new host with body parameters in mind - it is easier for them to pierce thin skin.
How to lure bed bugs - how traps work
Given that parasites react to substances excreted by the human body, it is difficult to create a trap for bedbugs with your own hands. But still there are some methods. For example, effective are devices that are installed on the path of the parasites.
Foreign smells (e.g. food) are of no interest to insects, so it is impractical to use attractants. If you place the trap where the parasite is sure to crawl through, it will work. Glue pads, containers with liquids and grease components work according to this principle.
There are many variants, 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 sophisticated devices, such as carbon dioxide or pheromone traps. They are based on their ability to emit distinctive scents that will attract only bed bugs.
Types of traps
There are different ways to collect parasites when infecting an apartment. Conventionally all of them are 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 bed bugs you will need quite a few of these devices.
HECTOR Bed Bug Trap
It is a product of durable plastic with a rough rough outer surface and a special smooth groove. In one set there are exactly 4 traps, each of which should be placed under the foot of the bed on which you sleep.
Upon sensing the carbon dioxide emitted by a person while sleeping, the bedbug immediately rushes to its victim. Since this insect cannot jump, much less fly, the only way is to climb up the bed legs, where it will be awaited by the traps already installed.
It easily climbs along the outer rough surface, where it meets an obstacle - a groove with smooth walls. The insect, trying to overcome the obstacle, slips and falls to the bottom of the groove, from which it cannot get out.
It is worth noting that even if you still have bed bugs in your apartment, using these traps, you can get rid of new bites, so the insects simply will not be able to get into your bed.
Chemical traps
The principle of action varies. Some types contain insecticides, while other bedbug traps emit scents that are designed to attract the parasites.
They contain special substances, but are effective only against certain species of bed bugs.
Trap Combat
Such Devices look like small boxes of low height. This allows them to be installed even under low furniture. Inside there is an insecticide of intestinal action as well as an attractant. This attracts cockroaches, ants, they crawl inside, taste the food and at the same time receive a dose of poison.
However, this principle of action is not conducive to the mass catching of house bugs.
Parasites will not be interested in attractants. Intestinal insecticide will not work on them because the substance begins to work once it enters the digestive tract.
Bed Bug Beacon Trap
It is an umbrella made of polymeric material, connected through a tube to a bottle containing carbon dioxide.
The principle of action of such a trap for bed bugs is based on the reaction of bloodsuckers in search of food.
So, bed bugs rush towards the person, as they capture the carbon dioxide exhaled by the potential victim.
Adhesive tapes
This is one of the easiest ways to catch vermin. If these strips/plots are placed correctly, you can catch a lot of bed bugs. Sticky strips should be left around a person's sleeping area. This is where the insects rush in. However, even Velcro will not work if the parasites have made a nest inside the bed, sofa.
Then they will freely bite a person no matter how many traps are installed in the apartment. You can use ready-made devices, for example, buy products brand Forssight. They are designed for cockroaches, contain attractant, but the glue base is a universal way to catch any insects, even if the bait has no effect on them.
We make devices for catching bed bugs with our own hands
Consider different ways to control the parasites. The more varied they are, the faster the bedbugs will disappear, since they are exposed to many negative factors at once.
Bean sprouts
One might think that the plant is used for the purpose of preparing a decoction or tincture, in order to further influence the parasites by its smell. But this is not true, in fact, bean tops have an unexpected effect on bed bugs: there are many tufts on the leaves. Given that parasites move slowly and do not like obstacles in their way, you can try to stop them with this plant.
The bean tops should be left wherever insects crawl.
Plastic bottles
If learning how to make a trap for bedbugs, it is necessary to consider this option among the first ones. Instructions:
- Four bottles will be needed.
- Cut the bottom part, work the edges with sandpaper to reduce roughness.
- Pour a small amount of vegetable oil or water.
- Pour flour, talcum powder or powdered sugar.
- Set the bed legs into these containers. The bed bugs will get stuck as they come down from the bed on their way to their hiding places.
Sticky Method
Options can be considered:
- stick double-sided tape on different surfaces;
- Prepare cardboard substrates, they are covered with different sticky materials, scotch tape, glue will do.
Herbs and spices
This method is more of a deterrent than an attraction.
It is used as a prophylactic to protect the facility from insect infestation.
You need to place herbs or spices around the apartment that exude a strong aroma. The bed bugs don't like valerian the most, Wormwood, rosemary, rosemary, thyme.
The use of apothecary chamomile
The plant contains natural insecticides. Chamomile of the Asteraceae family repels bed bugs and at the same time contributes to the damage of their nervous system. Consider different ways to use this plant:
- The raw material is crushed to a powder and scattered everywhere;
- Mix ground chamomile with naphthalene, store in a dark place, and use periodically to repel insects.
Homemade trap with soybeans
Yeast should be used. When they combine with sugar, a reaction takes place that promotes the release of carbon dioxide. It is necessary to prepare a bait for bed bugs:
- cut open a plastic bottle;
- inside put components for fermentation: sugar and yeast, some water;
- the top of the bottle is placed on top with the neck down;
- Fix a cloth 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 to get to the source of CO2.
How to sleep with bedbugs in the apartment
While the fight against parasites, you need to protect yourself from them. They use different methods:
- bed legs are installed in the traps (description given above);
- crushed chamomile is scattered under the mattress;
- the perimeter of the bed on the floor with double-sided adhesive tape;
- the bed is moved away from the wall;
- Canopy is installed on top, the edges of the fabric should not go down to the floor, and if the insects live under the mattress, you need to spread the bottom of the canopy on its upper edge so that there were no folds.
How to make an ultrasonic trap
The main element of the design is the ultrasonic emitter. Most often when making a self-made part, it is possible to find and embed such a part with a frequency of up to 36 kHz, but this is not always enough. Other elements of the design:
- resistors (5 pieces), used to adjust the parameters of the power supply;
- transistors (2 pieces);
- capacitors (2 pcs.);
- diode;
- toggle switch.
Transistors and capacitors create the frequency circuit. A diode is necessary for safe operation of the device.
Marble Bed Bug Traps
It is produced on the basis of pheromones. The trap contains substances released by the body of marble bed bugs, which helps to control the number of street pests.
However, such devices have no effect on bedwetters.
Video review of bed bug traps, getting rid of parasites at home
Advantages and disadvantages
To make a trap, you do not need to buy expensive materials. But it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of such devices, for which purpose study their advantages:
- ease of device: to attract vermin use available products (e.g., yeast), you can scare away insects strongly smelling herbs;
- absence of toxic components;
- Traps against house bugs can be used in homes where there are children or people with allergies.
Disadvantages of such devices quite a lot:
- low efficiency, as a standalone measure, the bedbug trap can not be used;
- The need to frequently change the tools used (glue, tape, herbs, etc.);
- traps do not work when parasites have made a nest inside the sleeping place;
- surfaces get dirty: if you glue double-sided tape, put the bed legs in containers of vegetable oil, etc;
- The eggs of the parasites are not destroyed, only the larvae, the adults are caught that way.
Where can I buy and at what price
Стоимость готовой ловушки зависит от ее разновидности. Для сравнения, инсектицидные приспособления можно приобрести за 250-350. Более сложные устройства (например, Bed Bug Beacon) менее доступны по цене – 3500. Причем их не везде можно найти.
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.
Reviews
Expert tips
- If there are a lot of bedbugs, you can use such devices to check which insects have got into the house and are biting family members;
- traps help contain the parasites at the stage of disinfestation of the apartment so that they do not bite, when you need to wait a few days until the complete elimination of bed bugs.
Conclusion
There are different types of traps: chemical, non-toxic (sticky). They differ in the level of effectiveness. Before use, it is necessary to compare the properties of each option, learn about the peculiarities:
- Baiting helps to control the number of parasites. But this method is not used as the main one.
- Chemical (insecticide) devices are ineffective against bloodsuckers. It is better to use homemade, sticky traps.
- To prevent bites, a canopy should be placed over the sleeping area. Different devices are used at the same time: traps with vegetable oil, scotch tape, adhesive pads.
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