In this episode, Jeff will show you the CDC 3000 active bed bug monitor, explain how it works and where he thinks it fits into a bed bug management program. The CDC 3000 is an active bed bug monitor that uses heat, carbon dioxide and a chemical lure to attract bed bugs to it. You can take this unit and place it in a home that bed bugs are suspected to be in and theoretically bed bugs should be attracted to it. We have placed the monitor in units where a large population of bed bugs existed and did in fact collect bugs. At this point there is still a lot of information that needs to be researched in regards to what the capabilities of the monitor are. Some of those questions are: Does the monitor out compete a human host? How close to an area that you want to monitor do you need to place the trap? If the monitor doesn’t collect bugs what does that tell you about the presence of bugs? Either way, we do think that the monitor is a great design and does hold value in monitoring for bed bug populations but to what extent is yet unknown. If an when you purchase a CDC 3000, please remember to follow all manufacturer directions on how to properly set and use the monitor. Also, if you have any concern about the unit being infested with bed bugs, it is highly recommended that you treat the monitor in a Packtite portable heating unit for the maximum length of time that the portable heating unit runs.
Related links:
Cimex Science – Manufacturer of CDC3000
Jeff,
Do you think the cdc 3000 would be able to help us? We live in a single family house near Akron, OH. We are moving to CA in July and want to sell our house. Our bed bug problem started 15 months ago. Last year we were treated 10 times by a pco (he saw live bed bugs), then in 12/08 we had 2 thermal treatments (they’d been doing thermal for 3 months). Since then, we have seen no bugs or cast skins; saw a few blood streaks on my sheets in Jan/Feb but none the last month or two. But I have had 1-2 bites nearly every day since the thermal. In 6 months I would think they’d be crawling on the walls. We are beginning to wonder we still have a bed bug problem, or if I am possibly having some allergic reaction to the earlier spray? Is it likely that a house can have bed bugs with no hard evidence after 6 months? We had one of your BBFree pco’s inspect (Patton Pest Control), and they found nothing. They spoke with Rick Cooper, who recommended the Climbup cups; did that, trapped nothing. Have had a new pco out the last few weeks who has sprayed, but found nothing.
For the last week I’ve been sleeping outside in a tent and staying away from carpeted areas except the computer/study room. Is it possible that I’m being bitten here, and that’s why I don’t see evidence?
We want to be able to put our house on the market with reasonable confidence that we don’t have bed bugs, but I’m very concerned about these bites (we have no pets, they’re not fleas). I read your post on bedbugger.com that you are testing the cdc3000 on low level infestations. Would this be a useful tool in your opinion for our situation? Would you consider using our house to do part of your testing? My dad is a retired entomologist (in CA), and both my husband and I have science/engineering degrees.
We have spent well over $10,000 and haven’t even replaced any furniture/beds yet. We will move even if we can’t confirm they are gone. But we are out of ideas, and desperate. I know you are extremely busy, but I will be grateful for any suggestions you have. Thank you.
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
In regards to the CDC3000, it definitely can’t hurt to have someone set the device in the concern areas and see what it turns up but regardless, it’s not going to give you the definitive answer you are looking for. We are working with it on lower level infestations and one thing that we’ve found is that it doesn’t always attract the bugs to the unit. This isn’t a shock since there isn’t a monitor out there that attracts 100% of a population of any insect and therefore, if you don’t catch a bed bug what does it really tell you? We don’t really know. So it can’t hurt to set the monitor but I also don’t know that at this point if it’s going to help you at all. I also don’t know that I see the value in buying one as they are quite expensive and you may not get a return on your investment.
Once you experience an infestation of bed bugs, the way you look at “reactions” on your skin, especially after sleeping, are never the same. You always question where the reaction came from and what caused it. If you can’t find live bugs at some point you have to take all the facts you have in front of you and evaluate if bed bugs are likely and in your instance from what you’re telling me, it doesn’t sound like bed bugs.
So in regards to the CDC3000 monitor, you have to do what will make you feel more comfortable but in your situation I don’t see much value at this point. It sounds to me that the cause of your reactions is not bed bug related.
Thanks for the comment and I hope this helps.
Jeff