Buggy Beds

BuggyBeds is an early warning trap that detects bed bugs and other crawling insects before an infestation gets out of control. The glue-based monitors are placed under mattresses, behind furniture, or in luggage, and they attract and capture bugs so you can spot a problem early. The product was created by two New Jersey area entrepreneurs, Maria Curcio and her business partner, who saw bed bug scares spreading through homes, hotels, and apartments.

They walked in asking 125,000 dollars for a 7 percent stake. The pitch hit a nerve because bed bugs are a fear almost everyone shares, and the sharks recognized the size of the pest control market. What followed was rare. Instead of one shark, all five decided to team up and made a joint offer of 250,000 dollars for a larger share. The founders accepted, making BuggyBeds one of the few companies to leave with every shark on board.

The all-shark deal is what made the segment famous, and it gave BuggyBeds instant credibility and a wide network of retail contacts. The product itself was cheap, easy to understand, and tied to a genuine consumer worry, which made it a natural fit for big box stores. Few pitches in the show's history have produced that kind of unanimous buy-in.

Retail distribution expanded fast after the episode. The company went from a few dozen Home Depot stores to hundreds, and added other large retailers, putting the traps in front of far more shoppers. Over time BuggyBeds broadened its line beyond bed bug monitors to include flea and tick traps and insect repellent bands, becoming a small pest detection brand rather than a single product.

BuggyBeds is still in business in 2026. The company sold a majority stake to an outside investment firm in 2021, with the founders staying on as minority owners who remain involved in the business. Products continue to sell through the official BuggyBeds website and various retail channels, though availability on specific marketplaces shifts over time.