Do Bed Bug Interceptors Work? (Find Out Now!)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

As a person who’s had bed bugs in the past, I know how bad these critters can be. It’s not uncommon for people to feel a weird type of paranoid, itchy PTSD from it. Bed bug interceptors are one of the key components of a fight against bed bugs. Everyone uses them, but bed bugs are tricky. Can they actually work?

Bed bug interceptors are highly effective at trapping bed bugs trying to climb down a bed’s posts. This is a must-have for people who want to reduce the spread of bed bugs in the early and late stages of bed bug extermination.

Bed bugs are no joke. They multiply at a breakneck speed and can easily destroy your life. It’s good to know all the options you have at your disposal.

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What Are Bed Bug Interceptors?

Bed bug interceptors are small cup-like items that you can place under bed legs. Occasionally, they’re called “bed bug traps,” but that’s more of an umbrella term. They trap bed bugs by having the bugs drop down the bed’s legs. When they hit the trap, the bed bugs can’t climb out. This is because they can’t climb smooth surfaces.

Bed bugs remain stuck in the trap until they die or you manually remove them. By having interceptors on all your bed legs, it prevents them from getting back up your bed or moving to another room. This isolates (or helps to isolate) the bed bug population.

While they are bed bug traps too, sticky paper bed bug traps are not bed bug interceptors. These smaller traps are often used when exterminators are not certain that the issue is bed bugs.

What Are Bed Bug Traps Used For?

Though you might think of them as an extermination tool, these traps offer so much more duty. Many people double-duty the traps as both an early detection system as well as an extermination assist. So, even if you don’t have bed bugs, you might want to invest in them if you live in a neighborhood prone to them.

Note: For the sake of stigma reduction, I want to point out that many people who use these traps do not have bed bugs. They’re being cautious. So don’t judge unless you see dead bugs in their trap. (And even then, don’t do it. That’s mean!)

How Effective Are Bed Bug Traps?

Bed bug traps are effective at trapping bed bugs and preventing them from spreading. There is no doubt about that, and as long as they are used properly, they’re practically foolproof. This is a quick and easy way to isolate bugs. However, this will not actually kill the bugs that are not near the bed you’ve trapped.

Bed bug interceptors are actually best as a diagnostic tool. But, it’s still good to use them during treatment.

Can You Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Using Interceptors Alone?

Nope. You also are going to need a visit from an exterminator, not to mention a bunch of pesticides. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of, and trapping a handful of them won’t do much. Since this is one of the few pests that can be considered a serious threat to your home and safety, we suggest you call a professional.

How To Use Bed Bug Interceptors

Bed bug interceptors are pretty easy to use. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Open up the interceptor package and separate all four cups. They look like cups, so that’s what I’ll call them.
  • Lift up one side of your bed at a time and place a bed bug trap on the foot of each bed foot. The cup should have “walls up” so that bed bugs cannot feasibly climb out.
  • Move the bed away from walls, nightstands, and other items. The idea here is to force the bed bugs to crawl down the bed legs.
  • Let the traps do their work. It will take about a week for some people to see a serious change, so don’t freak out if nothing happens the first day.
  • Empty out the trap with a vacuum periodically. This will be the easiest way to remove the bed bugs from the trap without allowing them a conduit to another part of your home.
  • Repeat this process with all other beds, couches, and dressers in your home. The more bed bugs you trap, the less likely it is to spread to other rooms. I know this may seem like overkill, but this is really worth doing.

How Much Do Bed Bug Interceptors Cost?

Bed bug interceptors are one of the only bed bug treatments that do not cost a ton of money. A pack of four bed bug traps will cost $15 to $20. This is assuming, of course, that you are getting a high-quality bed bug trap set. You can sometimes find them cheaper.

If you are getting the services of an exterminator, then you might get them tossed into your cart for a discounted rate. Though it’s not very common, I’ve also heard of some groups offering them for free if they believe it will help them gauge the bug infestation.

How Long Do You Keep Your Bed Bug Interceptors There?

Bed bug interceptors need to be used for the duration of your bed bug infestation. If a single bed bug gets off a sprayed area, it can cause your entire infestation to come back within a matter of weeks. Most exterminators suggest keeping the interceptors there for at least three months after you believe your bug problem to be gone.

It’s important to remember that some people choose to use them for decades on end, even if they do not have bed bugs.

How Long Do Bed Bug Interceptors Last?

Believe it or not, bed bug interceptors are one of the few things that you won’t need to repurchase for a long time. They last at least 10 years on average. Hopefully, you won’t need them for all 10 and will be able to cure your home after a couple of months.

It’s important to note that you do not have to worry about getting new interceptors if you get a resurgence of bed bugs. You can reuse them as many times as you want. (Just, you know, clean them out.)

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Related Questions

How is a bed bug issue diagnosed?

Bed bugs are best diagnosed when people catch a specimen or find casings. That’s usually how it’s diagnosed. However, other warning signs might be enough for a spraying. This includes bed bug bites as well as the trademark “brown smears” that come with killing a bed bug that recently ate. It takes a keen eye to see them during the early stages.


What do bed bug bites look like?

If you are not entirely sure what bed bug bites look like, take a look for small, raised bumps that itch terribly. Bed bugs often feed in multiple bursts. If you notice three small bites in a row, chances are that it’s a bed bug that did it. It is a major indication that a bed bug infestation is active somewhere that you were.


How did I get bed bugs?

Bed bugs are not a cleanliness issue as much as they are an issue of bad luck in most cases. These bugs are known for hitchhiking from house to house. If they can crawl into your bag, backpack, or even your coat, you’ll end up with them at your home. They cling pretty well, too, so you can’t always shake them off.In some rare cases, bed bugs will travel from one apartment to the next. They sometimes will do this from building to building, but it’s more commonly a phenomenon that goes from unit to unit. If you went to a subpar hotel, you also may have caught them.

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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