Why Do Most Bed Bug Traps Fail?
Matt Unrein • October 3, 2024
New Bed Bug Traps Have Been Used at the Paris Summer Olympics to Great Success
Bed bugs are smarter than people give them credit. Most traps require the bed bugs to enter into the trap of their own free will but bed bugs hide inside of tight spots and only come out to feed off their hosts. Very rarely do they deviate from this pattern. Many traps provide no reason for bed bugs to walk into the trap.
But the Paris Summer Olympic Games have introduced a new bed bug trap into the world stage. Presented by Arctech Innovation which is a spin-out company from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has launched BugScents Sentry at the Olympic Village.
Professor James Logan, CEO of Arctech, said: "We’ve supplied athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics with BugScents Sentry for early detection of bed bugs so they can rest and recover without the worry of being bitten by bed bugs and stay focused on performing at the highest level during the games."
The scientists from Arctech discovered a pheromone that bed bugs produce which attracts other bed bugs. The pheromone was then reverse-engineered into a formal after three months of work. BugScents Sentry direct bed bugs into the trap by using guide channels since the pests have a nature of holding to the edge. Rather than the replaced glue traps being placed on the floor, the glue is applied to the roof of the trap. This method captures the pests on their backs rather than their feet.
“This summer is the Olympics in Paris. Big sporting events like that mean people are traveling more than normal, which may lead to greater movement of bed bugs,” said Professor Logan. “There is also likely to be a continued increase in bed bug infestations in the UK this summer.”
These devices are available for purchase by the public and can shipped to Kansas and Missouri from the United Kingdom. But please keep in mind that these devices are for prevention, not extermination. These traps can prevent the bed bugs from biting you at night but they will not stop the pests from setting up shop in your house, apartment, or building. If you think you have bed bugs in your home, please give us a call at 816-237-5342. If you are unsure if you have bed bugs please visit our FAQ page
or you can have us come over for a free inspection.
The orginal article can be found here: MSN
Even the cleanest hotels are vulnerable to bed bugs—especially during the summer rush of travelers crisscrossing the country. With suitcases coming and going, and guests checking in and out in rapid cycles, these pests are finding new homes in hotels both budget and luxury. According to a recent USA Today article titled “Any hotel can have bed bugs. How travelers can avoid bringing them home,” experts emphasize that bed bugs aren’t tied to cleanliness but to human activity. “Bed bugs aren’t a reflection of cleanliness—they’re a reality of travel,” the article states. Bed bugs travel by hitching rides on luggage, clothing, or personal items. Once inside a hotel room, they can hide in mattress seams, behind headboards, or in upholstered furniture—waiting for their next host. This makes high-traffic hotels especially susceptible. The surge in summer travel has brought renewed attention to the risk of infestations. With the influx of summer travelers in full swing, bed bugs are hitching rides on luggage, clothing, and personal items, moving from guest to guest and room to room. For hotel operators, this means proactive action is more important than ever. Hotels should implement early detection protocols, such as routine inspections and discreet monitoring tools. Rapid-response treatment options that don’t disrupt guests are critical. SOS Pest Control's approach includes same-day heat treatments that are non-toxic and discreet, conducted with unmarked vehicles to avoid alarming guests. Because your guests should leave with memories, not bed bugs. According to the USA Today report, travelers can protect themselves by: Placing suitcases on luggage racks instead of beds or carpets Inspecting the bed, headboard, and surrounding furniture for small reddish-brown bugs or black dots (droppings) Washing and drying clothes on high heat after travel Even if hotels take all the right steps, prevention is a shared responsibility between guests and management. “Wherever there are people, there’s potential for bed bugs,” said Dr. Brittany Campbell, entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, in the USA Today article. SOS Pest Control warns that bed bugs can follow guests home and remain hidden for long periods. We recommend travelers inspect luggage before reentering their homes and seek professional help at the first sign of an infestation. If you’re a hotel manager in the Kansas City area, you can contact SOS Pest Control at www.soskc.com or call 816-237-5342. Article link: USA TODAY
New lawsuits against two Las Vegas Hotels and Casino about guests getting bitten by bed bugs have been made known to the public.
