The history of bed bugs

Bed bugs (cimex lectularius) have been recognized as pests since the 17th century, and were introduced to the New World by early colonists. Bed bugs were quite common in the U.S. prior to World War II, but declined in incidence after the mid 20th century, primarily due to the widespread use of synthetic insecticides such as DDT. Improvements in sanitation and personal hygiene, along with more vigilant regulations and consumer knowledge about the use of second-hand furniture are also likely contributors to bed bugs becoming known to most of us only through a children’s nursery rhyme. Plus, methods of bed bug pest control improved over time, making them more effective and efficient.

Although never totally eliminated, bed bug populations dwindled enough for most of us to ignore them. That has changed. Bed bugs have undergone a dramatic resurgence worldwide, and in the past decade, bed bugs have begun making a comeback across the United States; in many areas becoming a major nuisance pest.

International travel and commerce are factors in the recent spread of these insect hitchhikers, which can be readily transported in luggage, clothing, bedding and furniture. There are some experts that believe the small population that remained in the U.S. after the 1950’s were ‘super bugs’, resistant to the chemicals available to treat them.

Bed bugs can be found anywhere, and not just in your bed. They are still most frequently found in dwellings with a high rate of occupant turnover, such as hotels, motels, hostels, dormitories and apartment complexes; but can be found in private homes, movie theaters, high-end stores and on public transportation. Such infestations usually are not a reflection of poor hygiene or bad housekeeping. However, once established, bed bugs are persistent and getting rid of them also requires persistence.

Bed bug pest control is important because bed bugs are parasites that preferentially feed on humans. Bed bugs do not fly or hop, but are fast-moving insects that are nocturnal blood-feeders, gorging themselves while their host is asleep. The bite itself is painless. The salivary fluid injected by bed bugs typically causes the skin to become irritated and inflamed, although individuals differ in their sensitivity.

Older people often do not have a significant reaction to the bites, and can often live with infestations that go unnoticed until a caregiver or relative is bitten. Those who are highly allergic can experience severe reactions. The bite is usually accompanied by severe itching that lasts for several hours to days.

The amount of blood loss due to bed bug feeding typically does not adversely affect the host. No scientific evidence links bed bugs to the spread of any disease.

Bed bug habits

Bed bugs hide during the day in dark, protected sites. Despite their name, the attractant is not the bed itself, but the warm-blooded person that lays in it quietly for hours at a time – so they can be anywhere a host is nearby.

Bed bugs usually inhabit seams, tufts, and folds of mattresses, later spreading to crevices in the bedstead. In heavier infestations, they may occupy hiding places farther from the bed, hiding in window and door frames, electrical boxes, floor cracks, baseboards, furniture, and under the tack board of wall-to-wall carpeting. Bed bugs will crawl upward to hide in pictures, wall hangings, drapery pleats, loosened wallpaper, cracks in plaster, and ceiling moldings.

They can rapidly spread through a multiple residence building, hotel or other accommodations, as about 3% of the infestation is usually found moving away from the host!

Bed bug bites

One of the first signs of a bed bug infestation is waking up with bed bug bites on your arms, legs, torso and other parts of the body. Bed bugs require a blood meal at regular intervals and when they bite, they inject some chemicals to ensure the blood flows. This includes an anticoagulant and an anesthetic so you don’t feel the bites and the blood does not clot too quickly.

Bed bug bites are sometimes referred to as bed bug rash. This is because they may appear as raised bumps, similar to mosquito bites, or as red marks or rash-like bites across the skin.

The good news is that bed bug bites are not known to be a health concern as far as disease transmission. However, at Lady Killers Pest Control our bed bug exterminator experts understand it can be mentally taxing to find yourself being bitten by insects at night.

Is there any potential harm of having bed bugs?

The harm of bed bugs is customers can be bitten. Bed bugs move around easily and if not treated in a professional way quickly, can quickly reach an epidemic level.