How to Use Glue Traps for Bed Bugs: Stick it to Them

Dealing with bed bug infestations can be frustrating and challenging. One useful tool in addressing this issue is the use of glue traps.

These adhesive devices capture bed bugs that come into contact with them, providing an effective and cost-efficient method for monitoring and controlling infestations.

When you get the glue traps you will first need to identify places in the home where bed bugs are likely to be found, such as near beds, furniture, and upholstery.

Focus on places they may hide, like along baseboards or edges of carpets, behind headboards and nightstands, and around the bed frame.

By strategically placing these sticky traps, you increase your chances of catching and monitoring bed bugs, facilitating a quicker resolution to the problem. Let’s see how to use glue traps for bed bugs.

How to Choose the Right Glue Trap

I. Types of Glue Traps

When choosing a glue trap for bed bugs, it’s essential to pick the right type. There are two main types of glue traps available:

• Disposable glue traps: These are single-use traps made from cardboard or plastic coated with a strong adhesive. They are specifically designed to attract and capture bed bugs.
• Reusable glue traps: These traps consist of a base and a removable adhesive sheet. Once the adhesive sheet is filled with bed bugs, you can replace it with a new one.

Make sure to select the appropriate glue trap based on your needs and preferences. We use glue traps all the time to see if we have killed off all the bed bugs.

If the trap catches any bed bugs, we know we are going to have to spray the home again.

II. Size and Shape

Bed bug glue traps come in different sizes and shapes, so it does not matter which one you get unless you have tight areas where the smaller one works better. For instance:

• Small traps: These are suitable for narrow spaces such as between a bed frame and a wall.
• Large traps: These provide a larger area for capturing bed bugs and are ideal for placing under a bed or behind furniture.

You definitely need to get a bunch, so you can cover a wide area to kill these bed bugs.

III. Features and Additives

Some glue traps include additional features and additives to increase their effectiveness in capturing bed bugs. Look for traps that offer:

• Pheromone attractants: These substances mimic the smell of bed bugs, making the trap more enticing and increasing the chances of capturing them.
• Heat generation: Bed bugs are attracted to warmth, so traps with a built-in heating element can help attract more bugs.
• Transparent design: Clear glue traps make it easier to see the trapped bed bugs and determine if the infestation is getting under control.

By considering the types of glue traps, their size and shape, and their features and additives, you can choose the right glue trap for your bed bug problem.

Glue traps are best used to see if you have any bed bugs still alive after treatments. It will not get rid of an infestation so do not get these to just trap and kill bed bugs.

Best Glue Traps

Proper Placement of Glue Traps

Identifying Bed Bug Hotspots

Before placing glue traps for bed bugs, it’s crucial to identify their hotspots in your living space. Bed bugs tend to hide in small crevices and dark corners, so inspect areas around your bed, furniture, and upholstery.

Carefully check the seams of mattresses, baseboards, and edges of carpets or rugs. It’s also essential to examine behind headboards and nightstands, as bed bugs often reside in these locations.

Strategic Locations

Once you’ve identified the bed bug hotspots, place glue traps strategically to maximize their effectiveness. Consider the following tips for optimal placement:

• Near beds, furniture, and upholstery: Position glue traps close to the hotspots you’ve identified. This will increase the likelihood of capturing bed bugs as they move between hiding places and their feeding grounds.
• Along baseboards and edges of carpets or rugs: These locations are common pathways for bed bugs to travel. It’s important to place traps along these routes to intercept bed bugs and prevent further infestation.
• Behind headboards and nightstands: Given the proximity to your sleeping areas, it’s vital to place traps in these locations. This increases the chances of capturing bed bugs before they bite you during the night.

By strategically placing glue traps in these areas and monitoring them regularly, you’ll have an idea of how well the chemical sprays are working.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Checking Traps Regularly

To effectively control bed bugs using glue traps, it is important that you monitor them consistently.

Check your glue traps at least once a week to assess their effectiveness and ensure that they are still in the right position.

By doing this, you can identify any trapped insects and determine if there are any additional steps you need to take to eliminate the bed bug infestation.

When inspecting the traps, pay attention to:

• The number of bed bugs caught
• The location of the traps with the most captured insects
• Any signs of bed bugs that may have escaped the traps

Replacing Traps

Over time, the adhesive surface of the glue traps may lose its effectiveness or become covered with dust and debris. To maintain optimal performance, make sure to dispose of trapped bed bugs and replace the traps as needed.

Consider the following steps when replacing the traps:

1. Remove the old glue trap carefully to avoid releasing any trapped bed bugs.
2. Clean the area where you placed the trap to remove any dust and debris.
3. Place a new glue trap in the same location, ensuring that it is flat on the ground and not obstructed.

Also, if you notice that certain traps are catching more bed bugs than others, consider readjusting the placement of other traps in the room. Experiment with new locations to find the most effective setup for monitoring and controlling your bed bug infestation.

By following these monitoring and maintenance guidelines, you will be well-equipped to successfully manage a bed bug infestation using glue traps.

Safety Precautions and Tips

Handling Trapped Bugs

When you find bed bugs trapped in glue traps, be careful in handling and disposing of them. Use gloves when picking up the trap to protect your hands from contact with the trapped bugs and adhesive. Place the used trap in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it properly.

Preventing Accidental Contact

Glue traps can be sticky and might accidentally stick to your skin, clothes, or other objects. To prevent this, always store glue traps away from children and pets. Additionally, place them in areas where they are not likely to be disturbed, such as:

• Under beds and close to the bed frame
• Along baseboards where bed bugs may crawl

It’s important to regularly inspect the traps and replace them as needed. Clean and vacuum the areas around the traps to keep the environment clean and minimize the chances of trapping bed bugs elsewhere.

By following these safety precautions and tips, you can effectively use glue traps for bed bugs while minimizing any risks to yourself and others. Remember to act cautiously and keep a keen eye on potential infestations, ensuring a safe and bug-free living space.

Get Rid of Bed Bugs by DIY or Calling an Exterminator

While using glue traps for bed bugs can be an effective way to detect and monitor infestations, it’s important to consider alternative and complementary methods to help tackle the problem more efficiently.

Call an Exterminator

One of the most effective solutions for bed bug infestations is to call a professional exterminator. These experts have the knowledge, experience, and tools necessary to accurately assess the severity of the infestation and recommend the best course of action.

In many cases, they utilize specialized equipment and techniques that are more effective than DIY methods.

Keep in mind that the cost of hiring an exterminator can vary depending on the extent of the infestation and the treatment methods required.

However, investing in professional help can save you time, effort, and stress in the long run, and ensure that the issue is resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Chemical Treatments

Aside from calling a professional, you can also consider using chemical treatments to combat bed bug infestations. These treatments can come in various forms, such as sprays, powders, or aerosols, and may contain active ingredients like pyrethroids or neonicotinoids.

When using chemical treatments, be sure to:

• Read and follow the product instructions carefully
• Apply the treatment in targeted areas where bed bugs are likely to hide, such as mattress seams, bed frame corners, and along baseboards
• Ventilate the room properly during and after treatment to reduce the risk of harmful fumes
• Keep pets and children away from treated areas until the product is completely dry

Remember that chemical treatments can be only a part of your overall bed bug management strategy.

You should also use glue traps and regular vacuuming, for best results. Furthermore, some bed bug populations may develop resistance to certain chemicals, so rotating products or consulting an exterminator for more effective options may be necessary.

Conclusion

Glue traps can be a useful tool in your arsenal to combat bed bug infestations. By placing them strategically around your bed and other areas where bed bugs are likely to hide, you can effectively capture and monitor these pests.

Remember to focus on areas such as under the mattress, along the baseboards, and around the bed frame to maximize your chances of catching bed bugs. Ensure that your traps are flat on the ground and not obstructed by anything source.

While glue traps might not be a standalone solution for eradicating bed bug infestations, they serve as an important tool for early detection and monitoring.

Being consistent with using and checking these traps will help you gauge the severity of your infestation and inform your next steps in bed bug control.

In addition to glue traps, it’s vital to practice good housekeeping and consider other bed bug control methods such as heat treatments and pesticides. Stay vigilant and take action early to prevent bed bugs from taking over your home.