The importance of surfaces characteristics in pitfall trap designs targeting bed bugs, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Monday, November 11, 2013: 8:48 AM
Meeting Room 18 C (Austin Convention Center)
Benjamin A Hottel , Entomology and Nematology, University of Illinois, Gainesville, FL
Roberto M. Pereira , Entomology & Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Philip G. Koehler , Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
In addition to visual and canine inspections, pitfall traps are used for detecting and monitoring bed bug, Cimex lectularius, infestations. Smooth surfaces are used in pitfall trap designs to retain bed bugs.  This research examines the surfaces of three commonly used commercial bed bug pitfall traps. Commercial traps tested were: ClimbUp, BlackOut, and Verifi traps. Glass and a fabricated super hydrophobic surface were also examined for their potential to be used in pitfall trap designs for bed bugs. The ability of bed bugs to generate a pulling force on each surface was quantified using an analytical scale .  Trap retention rates were examined on only commercial traps. Twelve adult bed bugs were held in each trap for 24 hours.  The number of bed bugs outside of the trap after 24 hours was recorded. Large pulling differences were found between some of the surfaces tested. Trap retention results reinforce these findings.  These experiments demonstrate the importance of surface characteristics used in pitfall trap designs.

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