What to use to lure bedbugs? - briefly
Carbon dioxide, body heat, and skin‑derived chemicals such as lactic acid serve as effective attractants for bed bugs.
What to use to lure bedbugs? - in detail
Bedbugs respond to a limited set of cues that indicate the presence of a host. Effective luring strategies combine these cues to create a trap that mimics a living target.
Carbon dioxide is the strongest long‑range attractant. Sources include dry ice, compressed‑gas cartridges, or a chemical generator that releases CO₂ at a rate of 100–200 ml min⁻¹. The gas should be emitted from a vent positioned a few centimeters above the trap surface to simulate exhaled breath.
Heat draws insects within a short distance. A heating element set to 30–34 °C reproduces human skin temperature. Infrared lamps or thermostatically controlled heating pads can maintain the required range for several hours without overheating the surrounding area.
Human odor compounds are critical for close‑range attraction. The most reliable blend contains lactic acid, ammonia, fatty acids, and volatile organic compounds such as 1‑hexanol and 2‑butanone. Commercially available “bedbug lure” formulations supply these chemicals in calibrated concentrations. Alternatively, a piece of clothing worn for 12–24 hours, sealed in a breathable bag, releases a natural mixture of skin secretions and microbial metabolites.
Aggregation pheromones, released by fed adults, enhance trap efficiency when combined with the above cues. Synthetic versions of the blend (primarily (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-octenal) can be applied to a felt strip inside the trap, encouraging conspecifics to cluster.
Practical trap design often incorporates a sticky surface or a funnel leading to a containment chamber. Glue boards coated with a high‑strength adhesive capture insects that contact the surface. Funnel traps, using a dark, narrow entrance that widens into a holding container, prevent escape while allowing entry.
Key components for a high‑performance lure
- CO₂ source – dry ice or regulated cartridge, 100–200 ml min⁻¹ output.
- Heat source – heating pad or lamp, 30–34 °C surface temperature.
- Synthetic odor blend – lactic acid, ammonia, fatty acids, 1‑hexanol, 2‑butanone.
- Aggregation pheromone – (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-octenal, applied to interior surfaces.
- Capture mechanism – adhesive sheet or funnel‑to‑container design.
Placement matters: traps should be positioned near suspected harborage sites, such as mattress seams, headboards, or cracks in baseboards, at a height of 10–30 cm from the floor. Monitoring should continue for at least two weeks, replacing attractant cartridges every 48 hours to maintain potency.
Safety considerations include handling dry ice with insulated gloves, ensuring heat sources do not pose fire risk, and using attractants according to manufacturer guidelines to avoid human irritation. Properly constructed lures provide a reliable method for detecting and reducing bedbug populations in residential or commercial settings.