Susan McKnight, an entomologist who has studied bedbugs for about 40 years, has always suspected that the insects would become a big problem one day.
Recently she came up with a solution.The ClimbUp Insect-Interceptor is an indoor trap, which people place underneath each foot of their bed.
Bedbugs don't fly, but climb with feet that "look like grappling hooks," said McKnight.
McKnight started her business in 2008, with her savings, hoping it would fund her retirement. It just may. Her product is selling and her revenues are growing.
Last year, she made $850,000 in sales.
The bedbug trap is a white, plastic container that resembles an overturned dog bowl, which is where McKnight got the idea. She happened to be feeding her beagle, saw the bowl upside down and was inspired.
Bedbugs get trapped when they climb the outer surface of the bowl-like device and then fall into its slick interior. They cannot climb out.. People can easily see them, because even the smallest nymph is visible against the white surface of the ClimbUp.
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