Comments on: New (and inexpensive) passive bed bug monitors: Climbup ® Insect Interceptors

By: How can I catch a bed bug? How do I know I have bed bugs?

How can I catch a bed bug? How do I know I have bed bugs? — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:48:44 +0000

[...] historical interest. If you want a cheap detection solution, and if the design of your bed permits, ClimbUp Insect Interceptors may be a much better use of money, time and energy than the methods [...]

By: Bed Bugs, Turning Up the Heat « Biocontrol Beat

Bed Bugs, Turning Up the Heat « Biocontrol Beat — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:46:26 +0000

[...] and apartment complexes in Indiana. Against bedbugs, Wang uses natural diatomaceous earth in bedbug interceptor traps (Climbup(TM); Susan McKnight, Inc.). This is in addition to clutter removal, bagging and washing [...]

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:35:17 +0000

bedbuggdinthebay,

The product description cited above says,

“Climbup™ insect interceptor is ready to use with center well and pitfall ring prelubricated with talc to form slick surface to prevent bed bug escape.”

So it does sound like they can’t get back up once they’re in the center well.

They aren’t killed by the talc, though, and there’s a suggestion in the directions quoted above that says you can dust (a LIGHT coating of freshwater) diatomaceous in the well and pitfall, if you want to actually kill them.

Remember of course that if bed bugs are harboring IN your bed and biting you there, there may be little motivation for them to leave the bed. If they are harboring and biting elsewhere in the home, similarly, they may not need to climb onto the bed. (Eventually, an “outlier” will probably strike out for a new harborage. That could take some time.)

By: bedbuggdinthebay

bedbuggdinthebay — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:27:33 +0000

Maybe I’m a bit confused, but if the bed bugs are already in your bed and they climb down the post into the interceptor and can’t get out of the center well, wouldn’t they just climb back up the bed post? Or does the talc powder rub off on their feet and prevent them from climbing back up the bed? By the way I’m using these climbup interceptors in conjunction with a bed bug mattress cover for about a week now. So far, no trapped bugs, but I still think I’m getting bit occasionally. I’m going to have to disassemble and spray down the frame again I think.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:23:09 +0000

seemstowork,

Thanks for the feedback!

By: seemstowork

seemstowork — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:41:09 +0000

I got these 3 days ago after my tenant complained of bedbugs. But after talking to them further, one of the couple backed off and started saying they may not have them after all; while they other said they probably have them. I asked them to put 4 of the interceptors under the bed and the next day, we saw one in the inner ring – meaning it climbed down. I’m putting these everywhere and recommending to everyone.

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Sun, 31 May 2009 05:15:51 +0000

Climbup TM Interceptors will ONLY catch bed bugs which are climbing onto or off of your bed. If they're harboring on the mattress or bed frame, they may not venture off (though if you wait long enough, an "outlier" may venture off to set up a new home, or to bite someone not on the bed). I expect you may need to give it some time. Feel free to repost your query in our forums, where you may get more responses from users.

By: bba719

bba719 — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:33:34 +0000

I was treated for these annoying pests over the winter, and I am still not certain that they are gone. I still wake up w/ a red, itchy bump or two almost everyday. My PCO has done several long inspections, but hasn’t found anything. I just put the Climb Up dishes on the beds last night. So far, nothing. I am wondering if anyone has had success with these??

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Sun, 17 May 2009 05:22:49 +0000

Hi JLH,

You can download the manufacturer’s directions here:
http://www.insect-interceptor.com/climbup_insect_interceptor.pdf

1) CLIMBUP TM insect interceptor is ready to use with center well and pitfall ring prelubricated with talc to form slick surface to prevent bed bug escape. The talc will not kill bed bugs. With repeated wipeouts and prolonged use, relubrication
with talc is advised.

OPTIONAL: To avoid handling of live bugs, a dust (e.g. diatomaceous earth) or nonrepellent liquid (e.g. soapy water, mineral oil) may be added to in center well
and outer pitfall ring.

That does not seem to be anything like what your PCO is recommending, and frankly, I’d go with the manufacturer on this.

To answer your question about replacing powder — I would suggest adding a bit of Diatomaceous Earth in the center well and outer pitfall ring (food grade/fresh water DE only, see the DE FAQ!) DE is a mechanical killer.

But I think it is a matter of adding a light dusting of DE, not removing or replacing what is there. You will probably rarely need to add more.

Please note: I am basing this entirely on the manufacturer’s instructions, and am neither a pest management professional nor an expert on Climbup TM Insect Interceptors!

By: JLH

JLH — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:18:52 +0000

I just purchased the interceptors a few days ago, and haven’t caught anything yet (hopefully a sign that the treatments worked!), but my bed bug guy said I had to “maintain” them every few days. He said something about blowing on them to get all dust out, but wouldn’t that remove the powder too? Do I need to be doing this every few days? If not, how else should I maintain them — ie. how often should you “replace” the powder that is in there (assuming you’re not catching bugs all the time, and they’re mostly remaining empty so you don’t need to clean them out..).