Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Tools/ideas for fighting bed bugs
Cheap Alternative to ClimbUps
(12 posts)-
Our family is in the middle of a 4 month battle in our Brooklyn apartment. I read about the ClimbUps. A good idea, however, there is a slim chance that a BB could still "float" across the water. They can't swim, but they don't drown either. Our PCO gave us a whole stack of glue traps and it gave me an idea.
It is real easy to make, just cut some squares out of the packaging the traps came in and put 'em under the legs of your beds (or cribs)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IxSRJ-F_V0W7WFv8mr3BPQ?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rqc_N92wksPAmeXZqd-6AA?feat=directlink
-
BuggedInSomerville
junior member
Joined: Aug '09
Posts: 65
Posted 3 months ago
Thu Aug 13 2009 12:18:59
#
Login to Send PM
Cool idea. For my roommate's bedroom (he left on vacation just as we were discovering the problem; no bugs or marks seen in his room at the time), I took some empty margarine tubs/tupperware/etc. and filled the basins with a little oil, then placed each bed-frame leg in one. Attached some super-sticky fly tape to each leg for extra safety. The frame also happens to be metal; not a darn bug better make it up!
-
Hi,
The problem with the glue board approach is that am immobilised bed bug will release an alarm pheromone to warn others off. This signal could be strong enough to encourage one or two to leave to other areas of the property.
Although some people report success with the placement of glue boards most rule it out as a ineffective method.
It is worth trying but don't be surprised if it fails.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
MyWorstFear
member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 266
Posted 3 months ago
Thu Aug 13 2009 21:56:05
#
Login to Send PM
David,
Is it possible (or could it be possible in the future, but still in my lifetime) to somehow duplicate this "alarm pheromone"? Just imagine if it could be put in a spray, and then you could bed bug proof an entire room, suitcase, etc by merely spraying the alarm pheromone around.BBcoukHome - 2 hours ago »
Hi,
The problem with the glue board approach is that am immobilised bed bug will release an alarm pheromone to warn others off. This signal could be strong enough to encourage one or two to leave to other areas of the property.
Although some people report success with the placement of glue boards most rule it out as a ineffective method.
It is worth trying but don't be surprised if it fails.
David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited -
At five dollars a unit....It is cheaper to buy Climb Up Interceptors from Dr. McKnight than to try to fabricate your own traps... Or utilize one of David's BBAlert monitors for roughly the same cost per piece of furniture...
I love the design because it turn the entire bed, recliner or couch into a human baited trap...
-
MyWorstFear - 4 hours ago »
David,
Is it possible (or could it be possible in the future, but still in my lifetime) to somehow duplicate this "alarm pheromone"? Just imagine if it could be put in a spray, and then you could bed bug proof an entire room, suitcase, etc by merely spraying the alarm pheromone around.Hi,
I see the logic but as some may recall the suggestion of mixing alarm pheromone with DE was jumped on by some of us as a very bad idea most likely to cause the spread of bed bugs in a building.
I fear that an alarm pheromone based spray would potentially have the same effect. It is much better to check and avoid than to attempt to spray and avoid.
I met a gentleman that had used our services the other day who popped in to say he had been on holiday in Italy since treatment and the first hotel went along the lines of, checked into the room, found signs requested a room change due to BB activity, checked the second room and then checked out of the hotel as that one was also infected. He went from being oblivious to them a few months ago to knowing exactly what to do and how to avoid being exposed and was rather pleased with himself.
Interestingly his travel buddy went from scorning the concept of bed bugs to asking what he does to check his home.
David
-
>>A good idea, however, there is a slim chance that a BB could still "float" across the water. They can't swim, but they don't drown either.
I don't understand this. There is no water in ClimbUps as I understand it.
-
your host
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 5,547
Posted 3 months ago
Fri Aug 14 2009 14:33:37
#
Login to Send PM
RB - 7 hours ago »
>>A good idea, however, there is a slim chance that a BB could still "float" across the water. They can't swim, but they don't drown either.
I don't understand this. There is no water in ClimbUps as I understand it.Yeah, I was wondering about that comment too! You should not put water in your ClimbUps.
Before the ClimbUp was invented, the FAQ on isolating or protecting the bed used to suggest the following for those wishing to "isolate" the bed: putting cups of mineral oil (some preferred tea tree oil) under each bed leg (or placing the bed leg on a riser, and putting the oil in the recessed area the leg sat on, making a "moat").
While it was not a bad idea, I think ClimbUps offer a much better option because they do not appear to deter bed bugs. (It seems possible that encountering liquids might do so.) In other words, you may deter them instead of trapping them. Not only will they live to bite another day, in another location, but you also will not know they tried to climb onto the bed and bite you (as you would with the ClimbUp).
Many have also suggested that "isolating" the bed is a bad idea, since bed bugs which cannot come to bite you in bed will disperse to other areas. The ClimbUp allows them to come to feed on you and be trapped en route.
I also think David's design is excellent as an ongoing tool. Since it will help you detect bed bugs living somewhere on the bed and biting you there, it can also be used along with the ClimbUp (since the two provide different information).
-
Aris
junior member
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 62
Posted 3 months ago
Fri Aug 14 2009 17:38:55
#
Login to Send PM
DougSummersMS - 18 hours ago »
At five dollars a unit....It is cheaper to buy Climb Up Interceptors from Dr. McKnight than to try to fabricate your own traps... Or utilize one of David's BBAlert monitors for roughly the same cost per piece of furniture...
I love the design because it turn the entire bed, recliner or couch into a human baited trap...I bought some plastic dog bowls from Target I think for about $3 each and some Johnson's Baby powder for about $2. (I could have added some double-sided tape that I already have, but didn't.) Total cost for one bed with 4 legs: under $18.
The problem with the Climb-Ups is that they are sold in units of a dozen. For a household that does not need that many Climb-Ups, the price is ridiculously high.
-
MyWorstFear
member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 266
Posted 3 months ago
Fri Aug 14 2009 21:46:25
#
Login to Send PM
BBcoukHome - 18 hours ago »
MyWorstFear - 4 hours ago »
David,
Is it possible (or could it be possible in the future, but still in my lifetime) to somehow duplicate this "alarm pheromone"? Just imagine if it could be put in a spray, and then you could bed bug proof an entire room, suitcase, etc by merely spraying the alarm pheromone around.Hi,
I see the logic but as some may recall the suggestion of mixing alarm pheromone with DE was jumped on by some of us as a very bad idea most likely to cause the spread of bed bugs in a building.
I fear that an alarm pheromone based spray would potentially have the same effect. It is much better to check and avoid than to attempt to spray and avoid.
I met a gentleman that had used our services the other day who popped in to say he had been on holiday in Italy since treatment and the first hotel went along the lines of, checked into the room, found signs requested a room change due to BB activity, checked the second room and then checked out of the hotel as that one was also infected. He went from being oblivious to them a few months ago to knowing exactly what to do and how to avoid being exposed and was rather pleased with himself.
Interestingly his travel buddy went from scorning the concept of bed bugs to asking what he does to check his home.
DavidI had forgotten about the DE mixed with alarm pheromone discussion. I do see now how the alarm pheromone would not work well in a multi-dwelling or hotel etc, but what about just on the outside of your suitcase? I'm thinking of a scenario where a pregnant female on someone else's luggage decides to hitch a ride home on your suitcase since they were both in the cargo hold of the plane, right next to each other. Seems so unfair if you've taken all possible precautions in your hotel room, only to have it all be moot once your luggage gets jammed into the cargo hold with everyone else's who probably didn't take precautions!
-
MyWorstFear - 5 hours ago »
I had forgotten about the DE mixed with alarm pheromone discussion. I do see now how the alarm pheromone would not work well in a multi-dwelling or hotel etc, but what about just on the outside of your suitcase? I'm thinking of a scenario where a pregnant female on someone else's luggage decides to hitch a ride home on your suitcase since they were both in the cargo hold of the plane, right next to each other. Seems so unfair if you've taken all possible precautions in your hotel room, only to have it all be moot once your luggage gets jammed into the cargo hold with everyone else's who probably didn't take precautions!
Hi,
OK I see the scenario but they solution is more simple and I would recommend the following:
- Protect the bags while travelling using a barrier wrapping of saran wrap or cling film during the trip
- Decontaminate the bags when you get home with a Packtite system
Sometimes we need to realise that there is no point in designing a pen that writes in space when a pencil will suffice.
David
-
buggyinsocal
oldtimer
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,130
Posted 3 months ago
Tue Aug 18 2009 10:11:56
#
Login to Send PM
In case anyone didn't catch David's reference, since it's one of my favorite pieces of space related trivia and a revealing bit of truth about American culture, I'll elaborate.
Conventional ink pens don't work in space. After all, ink pens rely on gravity to draw the ink towards the tip of the pen.
NASA spent a ton of money designing a pen that would work in space. These days, you can buy a "space pen" yourself. If you do a lot of writing in, say, upside down positions, they can be terribly handy.
On the other hand, the Soviet Space Agency simply used pencils.
Pencils don't rely on gravity, so they work just fine in space. And the Soviet space agency saved a ton of money.
Reply
You must log in to post.
