At Bedbugsbites.net, we get tons of emails asking us how to attract bed bugs and lure them out of their hiding places. Many people want to know this information to ascertain that they are indeed being bitten by bedbugs and not something else. The solution to catch bed bugs in the act is to make an effective bed bug trap. You can always buy ready-made bed bug traps but if you want to save some money, or are feeling extra creative, then use these steps given below.
1. Simple bed bug trap with tape
Things you need:
- 2 plastic bowls of varying sizes which fit inside each other. You will need 2 bowls each for each bed bug trap that you plan to use for each leg of your bed or couch. We recommend keeping 2 traps. So you will need 4 bowls. Each bowl must be at least 1 ½ inches high.
- Talcum powder- baby powder works best. Use powder containing talc and not cornstarch.
- Masking tape or sticky sports tape
- Soapy water (simply use any detergent or liquid soap to make it)
Method
- Pour the soapy water in each of the large bowls. This is for drowning the bed bugs.
- Add talcum powder in the small bowls. The powder will prevent the trapped bugs to escape from the small bowl
- Apply the masking tape outside the large bowl along the circumference.
- Place the small bowl inside the large bowl. Keep each leg of the bed in the small bowl.
- To make the trap effective, make sure that no part of the bed is touching the walls or other furniture. This way, the only way for the bed bugs to get on and off the bed is from the bed’s legs.
- Check the traps from time to time.
2. DIY homemade trap to attract bed bugs
This is an easy trap to draw out bed bugs and it takes less than an hour to make it.
Things you will need:
- Thermos with spout
- Dry ice
- Glass bowl that is wide enough to stand the thermos.
- Plastic cat litter box
- Baby powder (again, avoid powders with cornstarch)
- Glue
- White paint
- Foam brush
- Scissors
- Old towel
- Pliers and work gloves to handle dry ice.
Method
- Paint the bottom of the plastic litter box white. This step is optional but it will help you identify the caught bugs. You can use a fast drying paint of speed up the process by placing the box under a fan or a dryer.
- Using strong scissors cut off the top of the box. Make sure the edges of the box are straight.
- Measure the length, width and height of the box and cut out those dimensions in the old towel.
- Using super glue, paste the towel on the outer edges of the box. Make sure that the cloth covers all surfaces of the box on the outside. Do not leave any gap between the cloth and the sides of the bed bug trap.
- Now dust the inside of the box with baby powder.
- Keep the small glass bowl in the center of the litter box upside down. This will act as a base for the dry ice thermos. Liberally sprinkle powder on the glass bowl as well.
- Now place the dry ice inside the thermos. Add a little water and close the thermos lid. Keep the spout half open to allow the CO2 to escape. The Co2 should ideally come out of the spout downwards into the trap so the bed bugs are attracted to it.
- Put the thermos on the glass bowl and place the trap near the bed.
Check the trap from time to time. You can set the trap in the room at least twice a week to catch bed bugs.
Precautions
- The dry ice lets out Co2 which will cause the pressure to build up. So make sure the thermos has a spout for releasing it if you wish to avoid a mini explosion.
- Co2 can cause asphyxia. Therefore, you must leave a little ventilation in the room when using this trap.
- Use the Co2 trap for an average sized room meant for two people.
- Avoid using the trap in kids’ rooms or near pets’ sleeping areas.
- Take care when handling dry ice. Do not touch it directly as it could cause serious burns. Always use gloves or pliers to touch the ice.)
Trap didn’t work?
They may not be bed bugs. Visit this link to see bed bug pictures and bed bug bite pictures on humans.
Need more information?
Check out these topics
How long do bed bug bites last? How to heal bed bug bites quickly?
