Something in Bed Bug Beacon, but can't tell if it's a BB?

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Something in Bed Bug Beacon, but can't tell if it's a BB?

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10111

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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Jun 3 2011 15:46:59
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So I bought a Bed Bug Beacon and have been running it. So far nothing definitive, but I found a few small translucent-ish specks yesterday and today. I bought one of those 60x - 100x magnifying glasses from Radio Shack to help me identify the specks but even under magnification I cannot positively identify what they are. Basically everything looks like a bug to me, and though I thought I could see the faint outlines of bug parts, I can't really be sure. Any suggestions for better identification? I"m not sure how to take a photo of them magnified as I have a cheapo little magnifier, and any photos I take with a macro setting just come out blurry. Thanks in advance!
scaredsilly

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 5 2011 0:11:31
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I had this issue, but I think there can be a few crumbs from the yeast material (that makes up the CO2) solution fall into the trap. Mine were so small, I could not see legs though. Can the inventor of the Beacon comment?
Nobugsonme

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 5 2011 3:02:17
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I alerted David James to this thread. I'm sure he'll have a look when he gets the email.
djames1921

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 5 2011 10:13:11
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I think the only way to know is if a picture can be taken and posted. Because nymphs need to feed to develop, they tend to be more susceptible to co2, as they show up more frequently in our and other traps based on co2, and the first instars are really small.
10111

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 5 2011 10:25:48
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Does anyone have any photos of first instar nymphs relative to other objects that I could use for a size comparison? I am under the impression that you can recognize a nymph with the naked eye, whereas with these specks I can't even fully identify them even with magnification.
spideyjg

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 5 2011 12:09:16
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Slap a camera on the magnifier and get a picture.

Jim
10111

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jun 5 2011 15:02:24
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spideyjg - 2 hours ago »
Slap a camera on the magnifier and get a picture.
Jim

I think I need another magnifying lens. It is impossible to do that with the one I have. On the other hand our climb up detectors caught an adult bed bug. It's the first real evidence of an infestation besides my horrible bites. It's also made me horribly depressed as we've already had two chemical treatments.
theboss

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Posted 2 weeks ago
Sun May 5 2013 10:20:28
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Hi...just found this older thread, and I have the same question....

Small translucent specks appear in my Beacon cup each night, but I have no idea if they are first instars, CO2 debris from the Beacon solution, or dust.

What is the best way to identify these specks, remembering that they are in the small amount of oil in the cup. I do not have a microscope yet, but am willing to buy an inexpensive one that could identify these specks. I believe my BBs are in the spaces between my wood flooring planks, so the Beacon would be a great tool for me.

Thanks
loubugs

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Posted 2 weeks ago
Sun May 5 2013 12:04:30
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If your samples are so small that you can't figure out what they are, then I have to say they are not bed bugs, not first instars, because these are large enough to see and you will able to see the front end and legs. Look at some images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lou_bugs_pix
dabugged

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Posted 2 weeks ago
Sun May 5 2013 15:54:05
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Thanks Lou, thoese photos help a bit. I'm seeing specks in my climb up interceptor as well and wondering if they're bugs or not.

So the nymphs (1st instar) are either translucent white or off white or red (if fed) and never any other color?
theboss

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Posted 2 weeks ago
Sun May 5 2013 18:37:00
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Thanks for the photos Lou. However, the problem with ID'ing these in the Beacon cup is that the cup is white, there is a thin film of oil in the bottom of the cup which makes everything look shiny, and if the specks are newly hatched and/or very young instars then they are extemely small and very hard to see in this cup other than just as specks.

Could you recommend a way to get a good look at this specks? Can I somehow transfer them without damaging them, from the bottom of the Beacon cup to a surface when I can look at them with either a magnifying glass or microscope? If these are BB could I expect to see them using only a magnifying glass, and if so what is a good one to use for this purpose?

Thanks