Bed bugs have been a huge problem in Toronto recently, there are many reports about the bed bug issue in Toronto Hotels and Universities. The answer to whether bed bug traps actually work depends on what you mean by ‘actually work’. If you want to get rid of a bed bug infestation completely, then bed bug traps do not work. If, on the other hand, you want to control the population and keep yourself safe from bites while you sleep or sit on your favourite couch, then bed bug traps do work.
It only takes one female to start a population. A single female can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime. For the bed bug trap to be effective, it would have to get rid of every single pest in the house. Although the traps may attract, catch and trap a sizeable number of bed bugs, this is nowhere near close to all the bed bugs that may be living in your home.
Types of Bed Bug Traps and How They Work
Bed bugs are primarily attracted to carbon dioxide and warmth that we give off especially while we sleep. Once a bed bug finds the host, it sends out pheromones to alert others in the area of a suitable place to feed. Bed bugs typically live close to the host usually in the mattress, bed frame or nearby furniture.
Passive Traps: passive traps take advantage of the fact that bed bugs cannot fly or jump and have to crawl to the host. These passive traps attempt to trap bed bugs as they move to and from the feeding site. The trap may be made of a sticky interior and exterior and attaches to the bed or sofa legs. The device entraps bed bugs either climbing up into the bed or sofa or those leaving after a blood meal. The trap does not contain any kind of attractant and relies solely on sticking the bed bugs much like the flypaper concept.
Active Traps: active traps, as the name suggests, actively attract the bed bugs into the trap. The trap emits carbon dioxide and heat while modern versions also emit pheromones to attract the bed bugs. The traps have a rough exterior surface with a shallow incline leading up to a hole at the top and into the trap. The trap’s interior is steep and smooth so that the bed bugs cannot crawl out and are trapped inside until removed.
Bed bug traps may vary depending on the manufacturer but the two basic examples are the passive trap that only catches or traps bed bugs on their way too and from the host and active traps that purposely attract the bed bugs. Even though, traps can work the best solutions is calling bed bug control services to deal with the issue, but remember you would need to make some preparations for example wash and dry you clothes at highest temperature to kill bed bugs. You might also consider dry cleaning. But does dry cleaning kill bed bugs? The truth is yes, it does. Bed bugs of all life stages die when exposed to temperatures of around 104 to 122 Fahrenheit for more than 30 minutes.
The effectiveness of Bed Bug Traps
Bed bug traps may help a little with controlling bed bugs but they are better suited for monitoring purposes. The trap is a good way to tell whether or not you have bed bugs, to monitor the size of the infestation or to check whether pest control is working.
Active bed bug traps are also more successful than their passive counterparts. At the end of the day, bed bug traps are not a stand-alone method of getting rid of pests and can only be used in conjunction with more aggressive options particularly chemicals.
Hire an Exterminator to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
The best way to get rid of bed bugs successfully is to hire a licensed and experienced bed bug exterminator Toronto. The expert has experience using the most effective treatment for the infestation. Exterminators have potent chemicals that aren’t available to the general public and equipment that allows them to treat deep crevices, cracks and other inaccessible areas.
Bed bugs are difficult to eliminate and require multiple treatments and treatment methods and continuing monitoring after the extermination to make sure that the process is effective. Hire an exterminator with a good warranty for the service. Call Pest Control Toronto now for a consultation.
