What can be used to lure bedbugs? - briefly
Carbon dioxide, body heat, and human skin odor—especially lactic acid and fatty acid compounds—are the primary attractants used in traps to draw bedbugs. Synthetic pheromones and heat‑emitting devices can also be employed to increase lure effectiveness.
What can be used to lure bedbugs? - in detail
Bedbugs are attracted to a combination of chemical cues, heat, and carbon dioxide. Effective attractants can be divided into three categories: volatile compounds, temperature sources, and simulated respiration.
Volatile compounds
- Synthetic aggregating pheromones (e.g., (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal) mimic the natural alarm and aggregation signals released by conspecifics.
- Human skin odor components such as lactic acid, fatty acids, and ammonia draw bugs toward a host. Commercial lures often blend these substances in precise ratios.
- Essential oils with strong scent profiles—particularly lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus—have been shown to elicit movement toward treated traps, though their effectiveness varies with concentration.
Heat sources
- A constant temperature around 30 °C (86 °F) replicates the warmth of a sleeping human and stimulates locomotion. Heat pads, incandescent bulbs, or thermostatically controlled plates can serve this purpose.
- Gradual temperature gradients encourage bugs to move from cooler to warmer zones, increasing the likelihood of entry into a trap.
Carbon dioxide simulators
- Devices that release CO₂ at 400–500 ppm above ambient levels reproduce exhaled breath. Small canisters of compressed gas or yeast-sugar mixtures in sealed containers provide a steady stream.
- Combining CO₂ output with a heat source amplifies attraction, as bedbugs use both cues to locate hosts.
Integrated trap designs
- A dual-chamber trap places a lure mixture of pheromones and skin odor extracts in the upper chamber, while a heated plate and CO₂ emitter occupy the lower chamber. Bedbugs enter through a funnel, become disoriented by the gradient, and fall into a sticky surface or containment cup.
- Passive traps rely on impregnated fabric strips saturated with pheromone blends; the strips are positioned near sleeping areas where heat and CO₂ naturally occur.
Practical considerations
- Concentrations must be calibrated to avoid repellency; excessive amounts of certain oils can deter bugs.
- Lure longevity depends on volatility; sealed containers and periodic replenishment extend effectiveness.
- Placement near seams, mattress edges, or furniture crevices maximizes encounter rates.
By employing a strategic combination of synthetic pheromones, host-derived odorants, controlled warmth, and carbon dioxide emission, a lure can reliably attract bedbugs for monitoring or control purposes.