How to make your own bed bug interceptors
Bed bug interceptors are useful for detecting bed bugs – but can you make them yourself?
Unfortunately, bed bug infestations can be extremely hard to diagnose without a professional examination or a bed bug sniffing dog. Bedbugs are small, are most active at night when their prey is asleep, and are able to hide in small spaces such as cracks in furniture or floors, inside mattresses or box springs, and even inside electrical outlets. If you suspect that you have an infestation, or you are waking up with unexplained bites, your first course of action should be to buy or make bed bug interceptors.
DIY bed bug interceptors:
You will need:
- 4 medium tupperware containers or similar sized plastic containers
- 4 smaller tupperware containers, fit to the size of the bedpost
- 1 roll of duct tape
- and one of the following:
-CimeXa (we recommend keeping this on hand if you suspect bed bugs anyways – read why)
-Diatomaceous Earth (we always recommend CimeXa instead of DE, as it is proven to be more effective [read more] – but if you already have DE on hand, it is OK for this application because the bugs must crawl directly over a high concentration to reach the bed.) - in the absence of either of these two preferred ingredients, a common household ingredient like baby powder (talcum powder) can be used.
Make your own bed bug interceptors
| Image | Instructions | Materials | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 |  | Get two different sized tupperware containers that you don't mind using | Tupperware - Check price |
| Step 2 |  | Cover the outside of the larger container with duct tape. This allows the bedbug to be able to climb into, but not out of, the larger container. | Duct Tape - Check price |
| Step 3 |  | Place the smaller container inside of the larger container | |
| Step 4 |  | Fill the space between the interior side of the larger and exterior side of the smaller container with your chosen ingredient. | Diatomaceous Earth vs. CimeXa |
| Step 5 |  | Any bedbugs will be trapped in between the walls of the two containers. |
You can take the bedbugs to a professional or compare them to photos to determine whether they are bedbugs. If you do detect them, always assume there are many more, and head on over to our complete guide to killing bedbugs.
Frequently asked questions about bed bug interceptors:
What is a bed bug interceptor?
A bed bug interceptor or bedpost interceptor is a plastic dish that sits under a bedpost. It provides a physical barrier for preventing bed bugs from entering your bed. It also keeps bed bugs from spreading from your bed to your other furniture. They are typically filled with a desiccant, most commonly CimeXa or Diatomaceous Earth. They are available from various manufacturers or you can make one yourself.
Should I throw out my bed if I have bed bugs?
Not necessarily. Bedpost interceptor traps for bed bugs are a useful way to detect bed bugs before they become established in the home. A well-constructed interceptor also has the added benefit of keeping bugs out of the bed (although it cannot eradicate an infestation on its own, as it will not kill bugs already inhabiting the mattress, box-spring, or frame. It is always advantageous to manage a bed bug infestation if it is caught early, as an infestation is much more difficult and expensive to eradicate when it is allowed to get out of hand. These can also be used to isolate certain other types of furniture with correctly sized posts, such as couches or drawers containing clothing.
Read more: do I need to get rid of my mattress if I have bed bugs?
Do bedpost interceptors work for beg bugs?
Yes. A correctly made interceptor traps underneath furniture legs serves 3 purposes:
- it is the best way to detect a bedbug infestation when a live bedbug or a casing has not yet been found
- it is a good first line of defense against bed bugs entering the protected furniture (bed, couch, etc).
- it reduces the spread of bed bugs already on the furniture to the rest of the room
Can bedbugs climb on metal?
Contrary to belief, a painted metal bedpost is not impossible for a bedbug to scale. You should invest in interceptors even if you have a metal or painted bedframe.
What do you do with bedding after bed bugs?
After you install interceptors, you should wash and dry your bedding in at 120 degrees F for at least 40 minutes. Then, you need to enclose your mattress with a bed bug mattress cover. It needs to be one specifically designed for bedbugs, not a standard off-the-shelf mattress protector. For more steps, you can read our Ultimate Guide to Killing Bedbugs.
Next up, read:
Diatomaceous Earth vs. CimeXa – which works best for bedbugs?
Thank you for reading our guide to DIY inexpensive bedbug treatment! Please refer to all manufacturer instructions and warnings when using a bed bug control product. This website is an independent resource. This site receives compensation from the Amazon Affiliates program, which allows us to run this site at no cost to you. Your purchase price and this review are NOT affected. We are not responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions, or any new information that has been released since the time of publication, or your actions taken as a result of any of these things. If you have any doubts about your ability to safely utilize any of these pest control methods, please consult a professional bed bug exterminator before attempting them. You can find a trusted local exterminator online. Read more about us here.