The #1 Contributor to the Recent Bed Bug Boom
Not that long ago, bed bugs were so successfully controlled to the point that they certainly weren’t making headlines or tarnishing business brands. Thanks, in part, to improved sanitation and pest control efforts in the 1940s and 1950s, bed bugs were almost completely eradicated.
Then, in the 1990s and early 2000s, bed bug populations began to rebound, and once again they present a formidable problem for home and business owners, not to mention the hospitality and healthcare industries.
Ignorance is Bliss for Bed Bugs
The culprit behind the resurgence of bed bugs is none other than us.
“A general lack of public awareness is largely responsible for the unbridled spread of bed bugs throughout the United States,” writes Dr. Richard Cooper in the pest control industry’s leading reference textbook. The reasons are multifaceted, but they include increased travel and loss of awareness of bed bug control best practices.
It seems we once squashed the problem so well -- and bed bugs disappeared so completely -- that we forgot to remain vigilant. In fact, these days, many people wouldn’t even recognize a bed bug if they saw one staring them in the face.
Unfortunately, bed bug awareness and prevention is crucial if we are to once again control the problem, a problem worsened by the fact that certain populations of bed bugs have become resistant to a class of pesticides called pyrethrins, which had historically been quite effective against the critters.
Know Thine Enemy
The first step in combating this tiny enemy is to get to know it.
Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped wingless insects that thrive in warm, protected places like beds and bedding (hence their name). It’s a common misconception that they’re jumpers -- a bed bug’s preferred method of getting around is simply to crawl. They feed on animal blood, like humans’, so that means they bite. However, unlike other biting insects, such as mosquitoes, they are not known as vectors of disease.
But that doesn’t mean an infestation doesn’t signal a serious problem. Bed bugs leave itchy, sore little red marks where they bite and, if left unaddressed, a small bed bug problem can quickly balloon into a major infestation. In fact, by the time a problem is detected it is often already out of control.
Flawed Human Behavior Begets More Bed Bugs
One major factor in the spread of bed bugs: complacency compounded by stubbornness.
Often, when people discover a bed bug problem, they do not take the necessary steps to get rid of it and prevent future outbreaks. For example, many renters may try to hide a bed bug problem from their landlord, fearing repercussions. Others might be opposed to spending money on professional services and instead attempt to deal with the problem themselves.
Some people merely think the problem will go away on its own if they just pretend it’s not there. All of these approaches -- the last especially -- are likely to result in a far worse situation as the bed bug population continues to rise with every passing day.
Furthermore, most DIY bed bug control methods actually cause the bugs to spread, as they are typically only irritated by the OTC products, which don’t usually kill them.
Practice Good Judgment and Take Proactive Measures
The first preventative measure you can take is to educate yourself and your family on how to properly and quickly identify bed bugs and their indicators.
But the best proactive step to take when you suspect a problem involves calling a professional right away, who will perform a thorough inspection and confirm the infestation in order to eradicate these invasive pests as soon as possible.
Think you found bed bugs? Schedule a professional inspection by a licensed bed bug expert.
