Review of Top 3 Bedbug Detecting Devices

Early detection of bedbugs and continued monitoring even after treatment are the most important aspects of bedbug infestation control. Detecting bedbugs don't necessarily kill bedbugs, but it certainly helps to facilitate the extermination of bedbugs.

However, bedbug detection is quite a tough job and many fail in this regard. That is because bedbugs are extremely tiny, excellent at hiding and are quite "secretive." And so to make this task a lot easier, bedbug detecting products are invented and sold in the market.

Here is a review of the top three bedbug detecting devices that are readily available today.


 * 1) 1 NightWatch Bedbugs Monitoring Device ($450 - $600)

This is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment. But for me, it looks like a desk book binding machine. NightWatch was developed as an active bedbug monitoring device. It uses three bedbug lures (carbon dioxide, thermal and Kairomone) that mimic the human breathing.

Bedbugs are attracted to these lures. Thus, they climb into the device to feed, assuming that it is a human host. But they fall into the pitfall traps, which are made of highly polished material. The device is so powerful that it can detect 99.98% of bedbugs over a period of seven to ten days, the earliest stage of infestation.

This is a self-regulating device that automatically turns on and off when bedbugs are either active or inactive. It uses no toxic chemicals making it very safe for use even around children, pets and plants. However, there are a number of disadvantages to this device.

For one, it is quite pricey. Secondly, one set of NightWatch only covers a 16ft x 16ft room. And if you have a larger area, you need additional sets of trap and lure. Thirdly, this device should be used in a room that is unoccupied by anyone lest bedbug will be attracted to you as they would with the trap.


 * 1) 2 Bedbug Beacon ($50 or less)

This apparatus works much like the DIY dry ice and inverted pet food dish bedbug trap. Bedbug Beacon uses carbon dioxide to attract and trap bedbugs. However, this device is much safer, cheaper and more reliable to use. Instead of dangerous dry ice, Bedbug Beacon uses pellets to lure bugs.

And since it is reusable, it can be used for 14 consecutive days. A lure refill only costs about $10, which will last for another three weeks of non-stop monitoring. The only concern I have with this product is that it looks like a set of dextrose, hose and mask.


 * 1) 3 Bedbug Detection System (BDS) ($65)

BDS is the most discrete, most affordable and most adaptable bedbug detecting device. It uses a patented adhesive dot matrix technology that is coated on a coarse cardboard surface. This recreates the favored hotspots of bedbugs, thus attracting and trapping bedbugs.

Each BDS case costs about $65 and contains 72 traps. Each trap can be glued on any surface of many different areas such as hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, apartment complex and military posts.

These three are merely bedbug detective devices. They are not bedbug killers and shouldn't be considered as such. However, to successfully eradicate bedbug infestation, these tools should be used in conjunction with other bedbug products.