Bed bugs are one of the most resilient and persistent pests in the United States, and if you are waking up with itchy bite marks every morning you might be looking into ways to deal with the infestation.
One of the most effective and popular methods to detect and help eliminate bed bugs is to use the bed bug interceptor.
But, how do you use bed bug interceptors properly, and is there anything more you can do to get rid of those pesky bed bugs once and for all? Well, we have a detailed guide and some extra tips and tricks that will help you get a good night’s sleep.
What Are Bed Bug Interceptors?
Interceptors are essentially bed bug cups for bed legs.
These high-quality and sturdy plastic bug interceptors are one of the best ways to monitor, manage and eliminate bed bugs from your bed and your home.
If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, you might want to look into getting bed bug bed traps as soon as possible. These bed bug leg cups can help you with:
- Confirming the presence of bed bugs
- Lowering the number of specimens in your bed
- Reducing the number of itchy bites every night
- Monitoring the effectiveness of other methods to eliminate the bed bugs
- Confirming that the infestation is over and you have a bug-free bed
So, they are not only useful to manage the infestation immediately, but they also provide long-term protection and serve as excellent monitoring tools. This way you can be sure no bed bugs are left as re-infestation can happen very quickly if a single female bed bug is left behind.
How to Use Bed Bug Interceptors?
Bed bugs might be resilient and resourceful but they are poor climbers, making the interceptors a perfect tool to capture them. Bed Bug Blocker interceptor traps have a rough surface on the outside that allows insects to climb up, while the inside of the trap is smooth so the trapped bed bugs can’t escape.
Users often added talcum powder to an earlier version of the interceptor. However, new manufacturing techniques make this addition unnecessary, and talcum powder is now hard to find.
These small insects can hide in any hole or crevice near your bed, and wait for the night to fall to climb into your bed and feed. This is when the interceptor traps bed bugs that are trying to get to you and allows you to have a good night’s rest.
Where to Place Bed Bug Traps?
Bed bug coaster traps should be placed under each bed leg for maximum efficiency.
Bed bugs are so small and flat that they can hide in any place in your bedroom, including the holes in the walls, carpet, and floor. But, once they get hungry they need to climb the bed and feed so this is the perfect moment to capture them.
If there is no other path to the bed and to you, the bed bugs will use bed legs to try and get up. But, once they climb into the pitfall traps there is no way to get out.
If you hear some people complain that bed bug interceptors are not working it’s because the bed bugs found another way to climb into the bed. This is why you have to clear the clutter that might be under your bed, and don’t allow any bedding or bed frame to touch the floor or the wall.
Do Bed Bug Interceptors Work?
Yes, interceptor traps are one of the most popular solutions for bed bugs for a reason.
These plastic cups are very easy to install, monitor and use. All you have to do is lift each bed leg an inch off the ground and slide the sturdy interceptor under it. Once you follow these easy steps, you should give the traps a few days to see the results.
If there is a bed bug infestation, you should see some captured insects within the first few days. Depending on the number of bed bugs you captured, you can assess the situation and decide on the next best step.
In addition, bed bug interceptors are completely safe, eco-friendly, and don’t contain any toxins or pesticides. This way you can capture the bed bugs, clean out the traps and use them all over again until you are certain the infestation has ended, but there are no harsh chemicals involved that would jeopardize your health.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs for Good?
Now that you became a professional bed bug catcher and you confirmed the infestation with the interceptor traps, you might be wondering how to get rid of those pests for good. Luckily, there are many solutions on the market, you just need to be persistent and thorough to completely eliminate the bed bugs from your home.
Here are the step-by-step instructions on getting rid of bed bug infestation:
Use the best bed bug interceptor
As mentioned before, choose the best bed bug bed leg cups to confirm the presence of bed bugs and assess the severity of the infestation. Once you are sure you have pests in your bed, you can move on to additional tools to eliminate them from your home.
Keep the interceptors traps under your bed for a couple of months to monitor the efficiency of other methods we are going to mention below.
Add bed bug tape barrier
Some bed bugs find a hiding place in your mattress and pillows, so you should add bed bug sticky tape between your mattress and the bed frame.
This way you will capture all the specimens that are hiding in your bed when they come out to feed.
Vacuum and clean everything
To reduce the number of bed bugs you should also vacuum the mattress and pick up all the eggs and adult bugs this way.
It’s also a good idea to spray down all the surfaces with the specialized bed-bug spray to ensure every last insect is eliminated.
As for the bed sheets, towels, clothes, and other washable items in the bedroom, you should wash them on a hot cycle and add the laundry detergent that kills bed bugs. This way you are battling all the insects at once and reducing the chances of re-infestation.
Add Diatomaceous Earth powder
If you want to be sure no bed bugs are left behind you can use the natural Diatomaceous Earth powder and the specialized nozzle to apply it in small holes and crevices in your bedroom. This way all the bugs that are currently hiding are eliminated and the infestation is handled even more efficiently.
Protect Your Mattress and Pillows
Once everything is clean and bug-free consider investing in high-quality bed sheets and pillowcases that protect your mattress and prevent re-infestation.
FAQs
Can you use a bed bug trap for a bed without legs?
Yes, there are some beds that don’t have legs but you could still use the interceptor traps. Simply add bed raisers to each corner to lift the bed by two inches and place the traps under them.
While this might not be the aesthetics you were looking for, it's one of the best ways to trap and eliminate bed bugs. Also, once you are sure the infestation has ended you can easily remove the bed raisers and enjoy your bug-free bed once more.
Do bed bug interceptors really work?
Yes, interceptor traps might be the simplest yet most efficient tool on the market you can use against bed bugs.
Millions of people have managed and monitored infestations with interceptors, and they all confirm that this tool is easy to use, incredibly efficient, and economical considering you can use it multiple times.
One more thing that makes these pitfall traps very welcomed in homes, is the fact that they don’t have any pesticides, toxins, or harmful chemicals that could endanger your family and pets.
Can I use a bed bug trap on a resistant bed frame?
Yes, interceptor traps are very efficient under heavy-duty bed frames.
The traps are made out of high-quality plastic and are very durable and strong. This is why you can place them under any bed and simply choose the best color and shape that fits taste.
Final Thoughts
Bed bugs might reproduce fast and be very resourceful, but one thing is for sure - they are poor climbers. This is why using the best and high-quality interceptor traps can do wonders to manage and monitor the infestation.
While this solution might look too simple to work, it’s often these tools that provide the best results. And, you don’t have to worry about toxins or chemicals because interceptors are completely pesticide-free and eco-friendly.
With our detailed guide and additional tips and tricks, you will eliminate the pesky bed bugs from your bed and your home once and for all.
