The History of Bed Bugs
Cimex lectularius, better known as bed bugs, are small insects that feed on the blood of humans. They appear to have inhabited the earth even before the dawn of man. Throughout history, they have proved to be a terrible nuisance and extremely difficult to eradicate. Once thought to be under control in developed countries, bed bugs have recently made a not-so-welcome comeback in cities all over the world.
Early History
It is bed bugs originated in caves in the Mediterranean region of the world, feasting on the blood of bats. When humans began to inhabit these caves, the pests found them as an equally suitable blood source. However, because cave dwellers moved from place to place frequently, they proved to be an unreliable and inconsistent food supply for the insects. It was not until the early establishment of villages and cities that the bugs' presence became a notable problem.
Growth of Civilization
As civilization grew, the infestation of bed bugs grew. The pests can be traced back to Asia and Europe as early as the 1400s. Some cultures believed that the bugs had medicinal value. In Egypt, potions were made of the blood-suckers and given to the sick to drink. The Greeks and Romans would burn the insects to remove leeches from their bodies.
American History
Manifest logs tell of sailors complaining about bed bug infestation aboard their European ships en route to America. Because of the magnitude of the problem, travelers were eventually asked not to bring bedding with them on their journey. The bugs, however, made their way across the sea and into the homes of the new settlers. Documentation of their existence in the New World reaches back to the 17th century. By the 20th century, bed bugs were so prominent that they were considered one of the top three household pests. Some cities had infestation in as much as 1/3 of all residences.
Bed bugs were a common problem up until World War II. In the 1950s, DDT and other pesticides were introduced that helped combat the rampant infestation. Soon, it appeared that bed bugs were almost obsolete in developed countries. In the 1970s it was determined that DDT and many other pesticides were harmful to humans, and they were subsequently banned by the U.S. government.
Resurgence
Over the past decade, there has been a marked increase in bed bug infestation throughout the world. There are many factors believed to contribute to this resurgence. Modern insecticides seem to be less effective at controlling bed bugs, and current pest-control procedure has moved to a more bait-oriented approach to kill ants and roaches. These bait traps do not attract bed bugs or other blood-feeding pests.
World travel has become more common in today's society. These bugs may hitch a ride on luggage, clothing and bedding. In urban, lower-class areas it appears there is a higher occurrence of resurgence, possibly due to a higher rate of room sharing and moving frequency.
Many people under the age of 50 have never seen a bed bug. They do not know identify them, nor do they think to inspect their homes, hotel rooms or possessions until it is too late. Adult females can produce more than 200 eggs in their lifetime, making early detection vital in preventing an infestation.
Prevention/Solution
Inspecting your surroundings in your home and anywhere you may sleep is the first step toward keeping bed bugs at bay. The oval-shaped bugs, while only about 1/5 inch, are visible to the naked eye. They are flat and brown prior to feeding and plump and dark red when full. Bed bugs are nocturnal and generally hide during the day in the folds of mattresses and bedding, the cracks of walls, the crevices of furniture, behind baseboards and even behind wallpaper.
If you suspect you have a problem with bed bugs, contact a reputable pest-control company immediately. In addition to spraying low-odor pesticides, they will most likely suggest that you wash all bedding, discard or cover the mattress and box-spring, vacuum and then seal all cracks and crevices in wood, and possibly dismantle bed frames and furniture.
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