What to use to bait a bedbug? - briefly
Use heat, carbon dioxide, and human skin odor—often supplied by a warmed, worn garment or a CO₂‑emitting device—to attract bedbugs. These cues mimic a sleeping host and are the most effective lures for trapping the insects.
What to use to bait a bedbug? - in detail
Effective trapping of Cimex lectularius relies on selecting attractants that exploit the insect’s sensory preferences. Bed bugs locate hosts primarily through heat, carbon‑dioxide, and specific skin odor compounds; therefore, baits should incorporate one or more of these cues.
Heat sources such as a low‑wattage incandescent lamp or a small heating pad maintain a surface temperature between 30 °C and 34 °C, matching human skin. When combined with a steady stream of carbon‑dioxide—generated by a yeast‑sugar fermentation mixture (1 part active dry yeast, 2 parts sugar, and 5 parts warm water) or a commercial CO₂ cartridge—the trap mimics the thermal and respiratory signature of a sleeping person.
Odor attractants improve capture rates. Synthetic blends containing lactic acid, ammonia, fatty acids, and indole replicate human sweat and skin secretions. Commercially available bed‑bug lure kits provide these compounds in calibrated doses; a few drops applied to a cotton wick inside the trap are sufficient.
A practical assembly may follow these steps:
- Place a shallow container (e.g., a disposable cup) on a flat surface.
- Insert a heat‑producing element, ensuring the temperature remains within the target range.
- Add the CO₂ generator: mix yeast, sugar, and water in a sealed bottle with a vented outlet leading into the container.
- Apply the synthetic odor blend to a cotton pad positioned near the heat source.
- Seal the container with a funnel‑shaped entry that permits insects to enter but hinders exit.
Materials such as sticky pads or removable adhesive strips positioned at the funnel entrance capture bed bugs that enter the device. Regular inspection and replacement of the attractant mixture maintain efficacy over several days.
Laboratory and field studies confirm that traps combining heat, carbon‑dioxide, and skin‑odor mimics outperform single‑cue devices. Adjusting the relative intensity of each cue according to ambient temperature and ventilation can fine‑tune performance for specific environments.