They are everywhere. In our hotels, in our bedrooms, even in our offices. Bed bugs. The fact is, they are back. Once eliminated by the prolonged use of DDT and other insecticides, their resurgence is caused by the banning of the most effective of these chemicals. Bedbugs are creeping back into our lives, slowly, but surely, and unless something is done, they will move back into all of our houses, into our beds, into our lives.
Bed Bugs
But what are bed bugs? They are parasitic, persistent insects that are on par with creatures like fleas and lice. Unlike these though, bed bugs are not known to spread disease. But they can cause serious allergic reactions in the victim ( “Pest Control Canada” 2010).
When and Where to Find Bedbugs
Bed bugs are persistent. Eradicating an entire colony is a monumental task. Bed bugs are rarely seen in daylight. These nocturnal creatures hide when it is light, but invade the beds of their innocent, sleeping victims to suck their blood and so provide themselves with the nutrients they need to survive. That is, human blood. The blood meal that they take from humans is their sole source of food.
Bed bugs can travel long distances to find their victims. They can also survive a year or longer without food. These long lived creatures can stay in their hiding places until they are sure that they will have a reason from venturing out. But I am sure you are wondering where these parasites hide. They can be anywhere, from the tufts of the mattress to the buttons of your couch. In essence, bed bugs can be found in any crevice of the infested area. While bed bugs do not create painful bites, or spread disease, they are a nuisance.
They can cause paranoia and insomnia in those who are living in an invested area. Imagine how terrifying it would be to the victims of these creatures. To try and sleep, knowing that the next morning you will wake up with multiple bites. Large wheals, caused by an allergic reaction to the bite, will appear the next morning. They will fade after a few days, unless the reaction is severe enough in intensity to warrant further attention ("Die Bed Bugs Die" 2009). It is no wonder that bed bugs have appeared in literature throughout human history.
The History of Bedbugs
Throughout the history of primitive and modern times, there have been bedbugs. This has often been attributed with bad hygiene, but that is not the case (“Bed Bug Epidemic”). Bedbugs were spread through the lack of modern technologies. Without them it was impossible to prevent them. They stayed in the huts of the primitive people, living in mass quantities inside straw beds and the like.
They were first discovered in the America’s in the early 18th century ("Bed Bugs History - Bed Bug.org" 2010). It was believed that the bed bugs arrived in the new world with the sailors ("Bed Bugs History - Bed Bug.org" 2010). Sailors often complained that the bed bugs had bitten them en route to the new world ("Bed Bugs History - Bed Bug.org" 2010). The number did not decrease until the introduction of many pesticides including DDT.
DDT and Other Insecticides
DDT was introduced in the 1950s. This means that bed bug were not able to be controlled for a long time. Almost 2 centuries (“Bed Bugs History - Bed Bug.org" 2010) After the introduction of bedbugs to the new world they were finally being contained. This was because of the new invention of DDT and various other malathions and carbaryls, various chemicals, were introduced onto the markets (“Bed Bugs Exterminator…” 2010). They were considered miracles, because they were so effective at controlling their target group. It wasn’t until later that it was determined that frogs and the environment as a whole were being negatively impacted by the chemicals.
Banning of DDT and the Current Situation
In the mid 1970 there was a mass banishment, in many countries, of the chemicals that were so negatively affecting the globe ("Bed Bugs History - Bed Bug.org." 2010). In our present time, the number of cases of bedbug infestations is increasing at an alarming rate. Last year, 25 percent of the residents in many cities reported having problems with them. The level that the infestation is threatening to rise to is going to be epidemic proportions. The current level of bed bugs has risen to the level that was previously seen in the mid century, before the mass killing of these creatures.
Effects of Banishment
Evidence now shows that the banning of DDT did not affect the population anymore at the time of the banishment. Jody Gangloff Kaufmann, a scientist researching bed bugs, studied the effects of DDT against the current population of bed bugs yielded some interesting results. Of all the products tested by the scientist, DDT did the worst. What ended up killing the bed bugs were modern chemicals such as Malathion and then pyrethroids (Adler 2008). The study also proved that the resurgence of bed bugs is not the ban on DDT but the resistance that the bed bugs had built up to it. But, what remains a true fact is that the bed bugs are back and our methods of control are not working.
Controlling Bedbugs
The method of controlling the parasitic bed bug population is very simple. There is none. There is no organized plan to eliminate the problem. In fact, there are many people who believe that there is no problem. The belief is that bed bugs are an issue of old. It is no relevant to our lives. That is untrue. The amount of cases of bed bugs has soared by five hundred percent in this year alone("Bed Bug Epidemic” 2010). That is a problem. A problem that needs to be solved. There are many things that can be done in the meantime to protect one’s self in the meantime.
Identifying Bedbugs
The first thing to do is to recognize the problem. Do you wake up with wheals, or large red lumps on your body in the morning? Do you only get them at night? If you answered yes to both these problems you should begin inspecting your house for bed bugs. Attach tape, sticky side out, to the edges of your mattress and box spring at night before you go to bed ( “Pest Control Canada” 2010). Then, use a flashlight to inspect these secretive creatures hiding places.
If you find any bugs that are about 1/4 to 3/8 in length then you have found bed bugs (Die Bed bugs Die” 2009). To make sure, go online and look at pictures to determine that you are correct. Once you have determined a problem. It is time to find some solutions.
Controlling Bedbugs
There are two different options for controlling bed bug populations. Non toxic or toxic. The former is a wise option for those with small children and pets. There are few good systems for killing bedbugs, but here are a few. Treat furniture like nigh tables and dresser by emptying them and taking out the drawers (“Getipm” 2010). Check all hanging on the walls and remove them for heat treating. Seal all crevices and put a cover on the beds to trap the bugs inside. Use diatomaceous earth to cut the bugs’ internal organs and eventually kill the off. Diatomaceous earth will not hurt children or pets so it is safe to use. The other option for those who want a definitive and decidedly less safe option is to hire an exterminator to fumigate the house.
In Conclusion
There are current studies for new technologies that will kill bed bugs, but there is nothing definitive as of yet. There is an upcoming problem in the numbers of bed bug infestations and if nothing is done, humanity will suffer. The DDT is gone; nothing is preventing these creatures from entering the homes of those you love in their suitcases and anything new they bring into the house. They are taking over our cities, giving us subtle reminders of medieval times. You can protect yourself, but something must be done. Appeal to those in power to up the amount of research and find a real solution for this massive problem
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