Passive Detector

I'm not entirely sure how to rate this device, since so far I'm not detecting any evidence of bed bugs in my house. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and assume that it is working correctly and I'm just bed bug free. I bought this based on the recommendation of several forum users at bedbugger.com. David Cain, the inventor, is very active on the site and is an incredibly helpful when it comes to the general discussion and identification of bed bugs. He also fully discloses his financial interests in the product whenever it comes up. The idea behind the BB Alert is that it provides an ideal harborage for bed bugs, while at the same time, encourages them to defecate on the white outer rim. It's not a trap and doesn't kill them -- It just allows the user to know for sure if he has bed bugs. For people who think they might have them but can't find any physical evidence, the detector can provide considerable mental relief (I'm going through this now). For people who know they have bed bugs, there's no reason to buy this, since it isn't a trap and isn't intended to kill them. The construction is basically a thin layer of corrugated cardboard, with a plastic shell, that sits on a white layer of fabric tape. Paying $14 does seem a little steep but they do go for $20 elsewhere. I'm sure there's more to it and a lot of thought went into the design, that's just my opinion as a user. I'm going off the assumption that I'm bed bug free and the device is confirming this. Paying that much for the reassurance seems pretty reasonable, especially when the inventor provides so much help over at bedbugger.com. If it turns out my house is infested the device still doesn't show anything, I'll update this review.

I am not sure if this is working. I have had a few more bed bug bites and no sign of bed bugs on the monitor.

I make my own for under $5.00 (see attached photo). Below were various experiments I had done with things around the house. I tried a light switch cover (square junction box covers work too) that I decided to scuff up a little with sand paper to allow bed bugs to easily climb it. I glued corrugated cardboard that I cut off from a box I had to the top of the light switch plate and then glued a paper coaster on top of it (cut to size). I placed a double sided adhesive on the bottom of it and it worked just fine. I found bed bugs quite content in the little home I made. Another way I made the product was by using a white coaster as the base. I glued corrugated cardboard to the top and in dead center of the white coaster. I purchased mini black dishes 2.5" x 2.5" as a roof to go on top of the cardboard because bed bugs do seem interested in dark vertical objects. The roof is flush with the cardboard, so it is no higher than 1/8 of an inch. It almost looks like a home and I have caught activity in them at various homes I service. Double sided adhesive on the bottom. Another one I have made was by using a mini magnet art board (2.5" x 2.5"). I wanted it small because it was made to stick to metal bed frames where adhesive was not the best choice. I had it placed under and along side the metal bed frame. I also made one from a large foam mounting tab (double sided adhesive) but it was hard to get off the bed because it stuck on really good. These do work well as I got the idea when putting a foam wall plate outlet installation gasket in. I left the middle insert in and glued corrugated cardboard to the top of it. Not trying to take anything away from this product but $36.00 is way too high for my liking. They say 3 years went into this and their passive detector is patented and I say wonderful as it is a brilliant but simple design, but I can make the product in less than 10 minutes for under $5.00.

Have had this since May due to a bed bug scare I don't THINK I have bed bugs and as of today, November, there hasn't been anything on the monitor. Usually I'm suspicious of such products, but I decided to put a little more faith in this product because it was developed by David Cain, who contributes frequently to bedbugger forums. David is very knowledgeable in his field and has his own pest control company that deals specifically with bed bugs, and I, like many others, appreciate how he takes the time to answer some of our questions on his own time. Thanks for that, David! If you go on the bedbugger forums, he can even confirm the placement of your passive monitor if you upload a picture. The passive monitor detects bed bug activity by providing an attractive harborage for the BBs, which means that you put the monitor in a place where the BBs are likely to come across them. So placement is crucial, and it's also important the monitor doesn't have any pesticides sprayed on or near it, or if there's a 'localized infestation' which means that the infestation isn't on your bed (I think). I really hope and pray that I don't have bed bugs, but Cain seems to be very confident in his product. He says that if there are no signs within 7 days of proper placement, it's extremely likely you don't have any BBs. If it turns out I do have BBs and this product did not detect an infestation, I will DEFINITELY write an update >=(. But as for now.. I've purchased way too many of these monitors for me and my family. BBs are increasing by a HUGE percent, and I see this as a good investment.

As an attractive harbor for bbugs with a nice white field around it to show telltale stains, this thing does it's job. However, IT IS JUST A PIECE OF CORRUGATED CARDBOARD MOUNTED WITH A WHITE BORDER. You could make this yourself for no cost in about 5 minutes. They have a lot of nerve charging $20 for it!

I live in a population dense city, in a rowhome apartment with neighbors wall-to-wall all around me. There's a growing bedbug problem in my city, as evidenced by the occasional bedbug infested mattress being left curbside here and there. EEK! This device is low tech and easy to install. Checking it once per week and seeing it clear gives me the peace of mind I need for feeling safe and comfortable in my own urban home. Use this detector in conjunction with other monitoring methods, and with weekly inspections of furniture as you do your cleaning chores. Early detection is the best protection!