Home Bed Bugs Bed Bug Interceptor-How it works, DIY & Reviews

Bed Bug Interceptor-How it works, DIY & Reviews

Interceptors are simple devices that can help to monitor and control bed bugs. Herein, learn how these devices work, pros and cons plus steps to do create your own- DIY homemade bed bug interceptor

In addition, find reviews of the available commercial interceptors to help you make an informed decision before buying.

Table of Contents

What is a Bed Bug Interceptor?

It is a device made to monitor and manage bed bugs. It relies on the principle that bed bugs lack the ability to climb vertical surfaces that are slippery.

bed bug interceptor climp up and cup — Interceptor picture

This technique is used by the pest control companies to check the presence of bed bugs in empty houses and apartments.

This device is made up of cups which consist a plastic dish that is huge enough to hold the posts or stands of a couch or bed.

The outer layer of the dish, often referred to as the moat, is what does the function of trapping and keeping hold of the insects. It is probably where they get the name pitfall traps

Often,other substances such as talcum powder are added to the moat to make it harder for the bugs to get away.

It is important to note this method cannot fix an entire infestation of bed bugs.

It is a control measure that can help prevent or stop the bugs from getting to your bedding or couches.

The effectiveness will depend on how use it. If it for monitoring purposes then when used appropriately, the results are substantial.

Pros and cons

The following are some of the advantages that come with the use of interceptors.

It enables early detection of bed bugs and thus easier control.
Compared to other control methods, it is cheap
In most cases, homemade pitfall traps do not contain toxic chemicals.

The disadvantages that come with the use of interceptors is that most of them only provide monitoring and nothing more.

How they work

The interceptor has two surfaces; the rough surface and the smooth surface.

On the rough surface, the bed bug is able to climb the interceptor while the smooth surfaced moat prevents the bed bug from escaping. The bed bugs once they find themselves in the interceptor, they cannot find their way out.[1]

The interceptors are placed under the bed posts or any other place provided it is below the bed. You can also place them under posts/stands of any other furniture where bed bugs are likely to hide.

trapped bed bugs Interceptor furniture post — Trapped bugs in dish

Once placed here in these positions, you can be able to monitor and take action.

The interceptor also works best when you put it in the sleeping room where the occupants release carbon dioxide that is an attractant.

For improved results, you can as well incorporate carbon dioxide in the interceptor. However, remember that this gas is toxic especially when used in rooms with limited space. Therefore, it should be used only when occupants are away

Ensure there is no bedding touching the floor as this may provide away for the bug to get to your bed.

bedding touching floor not good — Avoid bed skirts

In the course of time, it has been established that bed bugs are also found in other places apart from the bedroom.

They can also be found in the kitchen, bathrooms and halls. Therefore, consider these places when installing it.[2]

Homemade Bed Bug Interceptor-DIY

DIY guide on how you can make an interceptor at home

You will need;

A small container that you can easily fit under your furniture e.g. a food storage container.
A larger container that the smaller one will fit in.
A rough tape like the masking tape
Hot glue if possible super glue
Talcum powder
Car polish
A square-sized plywood

Steps

Cut the tape into four pieces. Put the pieces high on the wall of the smaller container
Spread out the pieces and then press them firmly on the inside of the container on a vertical orientation, on the inside of the container.
Cover the entire exterior surface of the larger container using the tape, so as to ensure that the entire container is covered from the base to the upper part.
Using glue, stick the smaller container into the larger container on the bottom side.
Make the surfaces so smooth so that the bed bugs cannot run away. Take some polish or talc powder and apply on the interior side of the large container and the exterior surface of the smaller container. If you choose talc powder, do not touch the do not touch the surfaces that are dusted using your bare hands.

DIY Video

Buying Guide

The bed bug interceptors are available in the insect control stores. There are some companies that sell their merchandise online.

The most famous manufacturers of the device include Blackout™ and ClimbUp®.

Other designs are also hitting the market and they include Volcano™ which is made to include a lure for the bed bugs thus increased effectiveness. It is however only designed for monitoring because of its size.

If you are not able to buy the detectors from the platforms, then you can use the locally available equipment to make one for yourself as shown above.

Tips to buy the best

When buying a bed bug interceptor, the first thing to look at is the size. Buying an overly large interceptor may not be effective in the long run.
You should also look at the features that constitute the interceptor
The brand or type of interceptor is also important. This will give you the chance to choose an authentic and not a fake product.

Reviews

The reviews by users of the bed bug interceptors vary from one type to the other.

For instance, the Climb Up interceptor is made using a thin layer of talc and this helps it to trap bed bugs.

It is surrounded with a dual system that can indicate where the bed bugs are coming from; furniture of outside. It is used on anything that has legs or stands e.g. tables, chairs and beds as well as clothing racks and sofas.

The lights out bed bug interceptor was developed by a scientist, Jeffery White, of the Bed Bug Central. It is very useful because it is can withstand a lot of weight.

Based on reviews from various users, its black color is appealing to the bed bug and thus highly effective. It can hold the legs of the bed bugs with up to a diameter of 9.5 cm.

The Climb Up Interceptor XL is known to be the largest on the market. It is made specifically for the bed bugs with non-conventionally bigger legs. Many users use this for the couches that are prone to bed bugs.

Further Reading

Sources

[1] http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1022

[2] https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/bed-bugs/ent-3012/