The powder in the ClimbUp Insect Interceptor is talcum powder and will not harm dogs. The powder is there to make the sides slippery so that the bedbugs cannot climb out of the trap.
Yes, you should place a 3" rigid disc underneath the ClimbUp Insect Interceptor as indicated on our website to prevent cracking of the device.
Precautionary Statement:
Furniture legs may break through the inner well when padded carpeting is present.
If carpeting is present in your home, the underside of the inner well may not have enough support to prevent it from breaking. If the inner well becomes cracked or broken, the broken device should be washed and discarded and replaced with a new ClimbUp device. Cracking can be prevented over padded carpet by reinforcing with a 3” diameter rigid disk under the device, for example a 3” steel dock washer.
Per the manufacturer's recommendation, "A small amount of insecticide dust may be placed in the wells to kill insect trapped in the ClimbUp." Only an approved insectide dust such as Cimexa Dust is able to be used in the trap. These traps are not intended to be used for sole treatment of bed bugs but to incorporate as part of a treatmetn program. Please take a moment to review our How to Treat for Bed Bug Guide.
It is recommended for best results to spray a product labeled for bed bug control along the cracks and crevices along baseboards, windows, door frames, bed frames, and tufts and folds in the room. Once that product has dried, you can apply the insecticide dust with a bellow hand duster to get further into the cracks and crevices.
The ClimbUp Insect Interceptor will still work around the wheels as long as they fit inside the 4 1/2 inch diameter. If you have thick carpeting or a very heavy bed frame, then you should use a metal washer under the ClimbUp so that the weight of the bed does not cause the plastic to crack. If the wheels will not fit the ClimbUp, then you may want to consider the BB Stop Bed Bug Pitfall Trap.
If your furniture moves around you could put felt pads underneath the ClimbUp Insect Interceptor to avoid the plastic scratching the floors.
If needed you would place talcum powder in the outside ring of the ClimbUp Insect Interceptor.
The ClimbUp Insect Interceptors will not cause bed bugs to be more active or spread. Bed bugs will travel in search of a blood meal and can be intercepted and trapped in the Climb-up Interceptor as they attempt to gain access to the beds or other furniture that have the interceptor devices installed only.
ClimbUp Insect Interceptor are only designed to be used with furniture with legs. You could use on the center legs only but the bar "leg" would provide an area for them to crawl up and would not be protected.