We're going to assume that you already know that bed bugs are tiny, brownish red insects that dwell almost exclusively with humans and feed on blood to survive. We're also going to assume that you know that, before the end of the 1990's, bed bugs were nowhere to be seen here in the United States. The focus of this article will be on what factors have caused bed bug infestations to begin again and, more importantly, what we can do about it.
Before the 1950's, bed bugs were a serious problem here in the States. There was practically no individual not impacted by these bugs. Then, a product called DDT changed everything.
DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) had been around since the 1800's but, at the end of the 1940's, it was turned into a synthetic insecticide that was widely adopted in the 50's. People used it on everything--including their beds. This did a great job of killing bed bugs because, not only did it kill bed bugs on contact, it got into the humans that used it, making them unpalatable to bed bugs. But, over time, the presence of DDT in humans would lead to medical issues.
While DDT was incredibly efficient at stopping bed bugs, it wasn't worth the trade-off that it may be harmful to humans, and its mass use was banned. It is still being used today, in limited amounts, to prevent the spread of dangerous viruses like malaria, which claims the lives of over a million people (mostly in underdeveloped countries) each year. But its absence here in the U.S., since it was banned in the 1970's, has come back to bite us… quite literally.
Along with the continued reduction of DDT breakdown products in humans and in human food supplies, there has also been an explosion in world travel. Together, these have brought the bed bug epidemic back to the States.
Okay. So what do we do about it?
When it comes to protecting a family or a business from the harmful impact of bed bugs, the best solution is to work with a professional pest control company. These bugs are extremely difficult to get rid of with DIY strategies. Professionals use products, equipment, and protocols that have a proven track record of stopping these bugs.
If you'd like to learn how Big Blue Bug Solutions solves bed bugs problems, reach out to us today. We would be glad to walk you through the process from beginning to end.
You don't have to let the bed bugs bite. Let the bug experts at Big Blue help.