Bed Bugs-From the Beginning
It is thought that C. lecturlarius may have actually originated in the Middle East, in caves that were inhabited by humans as well as bats. The lineages of the bed bug can be traced by their name as well. In ancient Rome, a bed bug was called Cimex, meaning ‘bug’, the species designation lecturlarius refers to a couch or bed.
Bed bugs are ancient insects and they have lived off hosts since time began. Studies have suggested that they parasitized bats first and then moved on to humans. The bed bugs inhabited the same caves where civilization began.
With the Growth of Civilization, the Bed Bugs Multiplied
Fossilized bed bugs, dating back further than 3,500 years, have been found at archaeological sites. During that age, the bed bugs were used as a potion to try to cure common ailments. The bugs were burned by the Romans and Greeks to make leeches release their hold. To cure snakebite, Egyptians would drink the bed bugs.
Bed bugs were thriving due to the formation of villages and then cities. Civilization grew and the bed bugs multiplied and spread all throughout Asia and Europe.
By 100 A.D., they were a well-known presence in Italy, in 600 A.D. in China, in the 1200s in Germany and 1400s in France. Heat that was generated from cooking and sleeping fires afforded the bugs a comfortable life in the wealthiest families residing in castles and the less fortunate working class living in huts.
England and Ancient Greece
England first reported bed bugs in 1583. Shortly thereafter, they arrived in the Americas, stowing away with the European explorers and the settlers.
In 400 BC, Ancient Greece mentioned bed bugs and they were mentioned again by Aristotle. According to Pliny’s Natural History that was first published in Rome around 77 AD, medicinal values for bed bugs included the treatment of ailments like ear infections and snake bites.
This belief in bed bugs medicinal properties continued at least until the 18th century. That is when Guettard recommended using them to treat hysteria.
Bed Bugs in the 1800′s
The early colonists brought the bed bugs with them to the Americas in the 1700‘s. In the earlier part of the 18th century, colonial writings document severe problems with bed bugs in Canada and the English colonies. In the 1800s, bed bugs were abundant in North America following the arrival of the European settlers.
In an attempt to deter the bed bugs, their beds were generally made out of sassafras wood and doused the crevices with boiling water, sulfur and arsenic. However, there was not a problem with bed bugs in the Indian villages.
It was known that old sailing ships were overrun with bed bugs. Many sailors had complained that bugs were attacking them while they were sleeping at night. They forbade colonists and passengers from bringing any bedding on board the ship.
German Beginnings
Germany first mentioned bed bugs in the 11th century. They were first mentioned in France during the 13th century. England’s first mention of bed bugs was in the year 1583, until 1670 the bugs were rather rare in England.
Some people in the 18th century thought that the bed bugs were brought to London in supplies purchased to rebuild London following the Great Fire in the year 1666.
In the 18th century, Giovanni Antonio Scopoli made note of the presence of bed bugs in Carniola, which is generally equivalent to Slovenia in present-day.
Railroads, hotels and ships were ideal accommodations for bed bugs. Travelers that were wise to the bed bug’s habits would pull their beds away from the walls and then immerse the legs in pans full of oil.
Old School Bed Bug Treatment
Over the years, there have been multitudes of formulas claiming they could assist in controlling bed bug infestations. If these formulas were used today, it could result in being incarcerated.
By the middle of the 1800s, the poor were plagued with the bed bugs. These were overcrowded areas that had low cleanliness standards. The wealthier households that had excess domestic help discovered that vigorous housekeeping assisted in eliminating the pests.
The larger benefit from these kinds of efforts was detecting the infestations during the bed bugs vulnerable initial stages. The greatest remedy is extreme cleaning and continuous care and examining all the joints and crevices to ensure there are no more bed bugs residing in those dark crevices.
Early 20th Century
In the early 20th century, the majority of Americans had seen a bed bug and most had been bitten. At that time, bed bugs were considered one of the top three pests concerning structures.
Surveys taken at that time showed that almost 1/3 of all the residences in some of the cities were infested with bed bugs. In the lower income areas, nearly all the residences had been infested with bed bugs at some point. In the lower income areas, bed bugs were considered to be the #1 public enemy.
Then something surprising happened. All of a sudden, the bed bugs were gone, at least in the countries that were developed. By the ‘50s, the American entomologists were having difficulty finding live bed bugs for their laboratory work. The question was what happened?
DDT
In the ‘50s, DDT was introduced to exterminate cockroaches and the bed bug population began to decrease rapidly. The bed bugs had met their match in DDT. The DDT would be dusted or sprayed all around and all over the bed.
This bed bug control would last at least a year. In 1972, DDT being used as a pesticide was banned. It was thought that DDT as well as other pesticides could cause cancer and also endangered wildlife, especially the bird population.
It is also believed that the vacuum cleaner and simplified furniture design also assisted in helping eliminate the bed bugs. Some believe that it may have been the organisms’ cyclical nature.
Bed Bug Infestations Are Worldwide
Bed bugs reside all over the world. The infestation rates in the developed countries had decreased from the ‘30s to the ‘80s. However, their numbers have been greatly increasing since the ‘80s. Before this, they were still rather common in the developing parts of the world, but extremely rare in the developed world.
Bed bug infestations began increasing even more rapidly over the past few years. The current number of bed bug infestations is similar to the mid century numbers that were seen. The number of infestations is still on the rise.
Despite the fact that bed bugs became resistant to DDT within several years, we were still able to control the bed bugs with the use of other chlorinated hydrocarbons like lindane. An organophosphate insecticide known as malathion was also used.
By the mid ‘50s bed bugs were not a major pest in the household, now only an occasional pest. Generally, bed bugs would be found in the settings that were socially depressed or in areas with other rather unusual circumstances. Every so often a bed bug problem may arise in a prison, shelter, cabin or youth hostel, nearly never in hotels or homes.
The Resurgence of Bed Bugs
The bed bug is the most detested of the household pests. Infestations of bed bugs are out of control and they can be difficult to eliminate. Previously, extermination treatments were sometimes dangerous to an individual’s health. In the battle of today’s worldwide resurgence, we can learn from the past.
Bed bugs are famous for hiding in bags or attaching themselves to clothing to travel. Looking back in history we can see that the recent resurgence of the bed bugs actually followed a comparable pattern.
The extreme infestations began once again in the late ‘90s. They first appeared in ‘gateway’ cities like Miami, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Showing Up in Hotels and Motels
In the middle to late ‘90s, bed bugs started to appear in more and more motels and hotels. These infestations were not limited to the less expensive establishments. They began showing up in premium hotels, single-family homes, apartments, hospitals and in nursing homes.
Unfortunately, today the bed bugs are still making a comeback. This is not a slow comeback, but a very fast-paced one. Bed bugs are national news and there are media exposés uncovering bed bug attacks in some of the five star hotels.
Some of the research indicates that as many as 25% of the residents in various cities have reported bed bug problems. These infestations were generally being seen in the lower-class urban areas.
For the residents in these cities the bed bugs are not just a nuisance, the infestations are reaching epidemic levels. Throughout history, this kind of intense and widespread bed bug infestation has NEVER been seen.
Bed Bugs Are Back
It is extremely clear that the bed bugs have made a major resurgence. This resurgence has occurred throughout most of the world. The increase in bed bugs has been acknowledged for Canada, the United States, Australia and in parts of Europe and Africa.
A Bed Bug Industry Has Spawned
Because of the recent increase in bed bug infestations all across America, an industry for the prevention, reporting of infestations and eradication of bed bugs has spawned.
The exterminators today are modeled after the very first European exterminators. One of the most famous of these was Tiffin & Son of London. They formed a business in 1690 to exterminate the bed bugs for the wealthier public. Their gas-lit sign over the shop read: ‘May The Destroyers of Peace Be Destroyed by Us. Bug-Destroyers to Her Majesty.’ This recognized the continuous threat of possible infestation.
They worked by contract and examined the house each year. It was a precaution to keep the places comfortable because servants could bring bed bugs in their clothes and boxes.
Tiffin did report that the majority of bugs were found in beds, but did caution the public stating that if the bed bugs were not exterminated they would populate and climb all over the ceiling, colonizing wherever they are able.
Bed Bug Infestation Treatments
Century’s after Tiffin & Son of London the pest management industry once again advocated preventive routine bed bug inspections. By catching an infestation early, it will reduce the spread into other places and can lessen some clients’ liability.
Another bed bug destroyer was John Southall who destroyed bed bugs in England and published a 44-page manual on the bugs in 1730. The treatise contained information concerning the control and prevention of bed bugs and on the habits of the bed bug that was based on his personal experiences.
To simplify treatment and limit harborage he suggested that beds needed to be plain and with as little woodwork as possible.
What has caused the Bed Bug Resurgence Seen Today?
Pest control professionals and Entomologists have several reasonable theories pertaining to why the problems with bed bugs have increased. Here are some of the possible reasons; however, no one is certain.
Increased Travel Worldwide
People travel to all the continents for business and pleasure. The developed countries are becoming more and more multicultural and the residents continue to move back and forth between countries. Naturally, this kind of travel would assist in the transportation of bed bugs.
Some of these areas being traveled have bed bugs. The bed bugs are removed from one area and then introduced to another in various ways. Bed bugs can be transported from one country to another on the body, clothing or even luggage. Many times bed bugs are found in airplanes, including in the cargo hold area. Overnight stays in motels; hotels and Inns can also assist in the transportation of bed bugs from one location to another.
A Change in Pest Elimination Practices
Previously hotel rooms were usually treated regularly with residual pesticides. Because of this, bed bugs that were introduced during travel would generally be exposed to that pesticide once they left their transport source to travel to the bed.
These kinds of residual pesticide application monthly or even quarterly treatments for other pests would control any new bed bug infestations. Currently, insecticide baits are commonly used as a substitute for the traditional sprays.
However, the baits are specifically designed for a certain type of pest like ants or cockroaches. There is not any bait used for the blood feeding insects like the bed bugs.
Evolving Treatments
During the mid ‘90s, a dramatic shift took place in the practices of pest management. Treatments that were routinely scheduled for the baseboards in motels, hotels and apartments were replaced. The replacement was a targeted application of baits for other pests such as cockroaches and ants.
Because of the residual pesticide application absence, the bed bugs traveled safely and freely from the individuals’ luggage, then to the bed and the infestation had now begun. It is extremely probable that factors like these have played a major role in the re-establishment of the bed bug in the United States.
Lack of Community Awareness
The lack of community awareness is assisting in the transfer of bed bugs from one location to another.
People need to be more diligent and inspect their items regularly during travel. They should also take the time to inspect any of the places they reside in while away from home for evidence of bed bug infestation.
People also need to inspect any second-hand items they are considering to purchase or if nothing else, prior to bringing them into their home.
The Underground Economy
There are enormous populations of temporary workers or illegal aliens in many cities. These workers and illegal aliens are continuously moving in and out of residences. Most of these residences house groups of people and are located in low-income apartments.
For instance, in Washington DC, it is not considered to be unusual to find more than a dozen people residing in an apartment with only three bedrooms.
The mix of people in these apartments is continuously changing as people move back to their home country; change jobs or decide to move to another city. These kinds of residences can easily become heavily infested.
The truth is that if you are an illegal alien, you probably will not be contacting property management to complain about a problem with bed bugs. Doing so could make your apartment the focus for any other infestations within the building.
Decreased focus on the control of bed bugs due to a greater focus on controlling other pests. The bed bugs ability to become immune to our pesticides.
Increase in the Use of Secondhand Merchandise
Shabby-chic is all the rage right now. Thrift stores, flea markets, antique stores and garage sales are now more popular than ever.
Unfortunately, all these secondhand merchandise stores and markets increase your risk of becoming infested with bed bugs. In addition, many people do not think twice about picking up the recliner sitting on the side of the road. This practice also increases your chance of becoming infested.
Common Ways that Infestation Occurs in Homes
The bugs are brought in on items that are infested, like clothing or furniture. Eggs and Bugs enter the homes that have hitched a ride on pets or luggage. They are carried by wild animals like birds or bats entering the home.
Dwellings that are nearby that have routes available through false ceilings or ductwork. Visitors from an infestation source; bed bugs are like roaches and are transferred from place to place on luggage, clothing or an individual’s body.
Mating Practices of the Bed Bug
Bed bugs are prolific breeders. Despite the fact that female bed bugs have a reproductive tract, the male does not utilize this tract when mating. Instead, the male bed bug pierces the abdomen of the female with hypodermic genitalia and then ejaculates into the female bed bugs body cavity.
The nymphs and male bed bugs secrete hormones. These hormones label these bed bugs as sexually unsuitable. This is necessary to prevent injury. The fertilized female bed bugs avoid the clusters of the other bed bugs to avoid any further injury. Usually, the fertilized female bed bug will leave in an attempt to find a place that is safer to lay her eggs.
Despite the hormones secreted by the nymphs and male bed bugs, a male will sometimes try to mate with another male and pierce his abdomen. This kind of behavior happens because a bed bugs sexual attraction is primarily based on size, not the hormone. This means that a male bed bug will mount any bed bug that has recently fed regardless of that bugs sex.
Internal Alarms
There is a bed bug pheromone that is considered to be an alarm. This pheromone is released whenever a bed bug gets disturbed, such as during a predator attack. In a study done in 2009, male bed bugs demonstrated the use of their alarm pheromone to repel any other male that is attempting to accidentally mate with them.
If given the opportunity, C. hemipterus and C. lectularius will mate with one another. However, the eggs that are produced are generally sterile. In a study done in 1988, 1 out of 479 fertile eggs resulted in a hybrid, known as C. hemipterus x lectularius.
What Does a Bed Bug Look Like?
Bedbugs possess mouthparts that are adapted to pierce and then suck blood. The bottom lip, known as the labium, is modified and forms a ‘grooved sheath’ that receives two sets of bristle like stylets. These stylets are the modified maxillae & mandibles.
Some people think that a bed bug (Cimex electuaries) is too small and cannot be seen with the naked eye very easily. This is untrue because the adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed. However, after a bed bug feeds, it could grow up to three times its usual size. It also turns a reddish brown color following a feeding.
Bed bugs are flat, oval shaped insects whose colors range from straw-colored to a mahogany brown. For this reason, some call the adult bed bugs Mahogany Flats. The nymph bed bugs are almost translucent.
Upper Body
The upper body of the bed bug is crinkly resembling paper and covered by short, golden hairs. They are essentially wingless; the fore wings are symbolized by tiny vestigial scales. Their hind wings are absent. Their antennae can easily be seen.
Their first couple of segments looks angled. The microscopic hairs on their abdomens make them look banded or striped. They have compound eyes. These eyes are easily visible. Their eyes consist of 30 facets and look like cones.
Males are easily distinguished from the females because the end of their abdomen terminates into a sharp flap like segment. The end of the females’ abdomen is rounded.
Additional Characteristics
The legs of the bed bug are very well developed. This allows them to crawl easily on vertical surfaces of plaster, wood and paper. They can climb up dirty glass, but with difficulty.
Bed bugs are sometimes mistaken for other insects including carpet beetles and booklice, or vice-versa. Unfortunately, the current registered pesticide poisons do not affect bed bugs.
How Many Species of Bed Bugs Are There?
There are 92 recognized species of bed bugs and the relatives of bed bugs in the world.
The hemiptera order that the bed bug belongs to include a variety of different forms including scorpions and aphids.
The majority of the hemiptera order actually feed on the sap of plants. Actually, many of these species are carriers of very important plant diseases.
There are a few species in the family known as Cimicidae and families that are related that feed on the blood of mammalian and birds. This is the family the bed bug belongs to.
Various Species
Cimex lectularius is a common bed bug. This species has adapted very well to human environments. This bed bug lives in various climates around the world.
Cimex hemipterus ‘tropical bed bug’ is another species of bed bug and is found in tropical regions of the world. In the United States, this bed bug is found in Florida. This bed bug infests and feeds on poultry, bats and people.
The Leptocimex boueti bed bug is found in tropical regions of South America and West Africa. This bed bug infests and feed on humans and bats.
The Cimex pipistrella, Cimex adjunctas and Cimex pilosellus are known as the bat bugs. These bed bugs for the most part infest and feed on bats.
The Haematosiphon inodora bed bug is found in North America. It chiefly infests poultry.
Oeciaus vicaruis is the swallow bug and Cimexopsis nycatalis, the swift bug
Interestingly Lexicologists (the individuals who write the dictionaries) consider bed bug to be one word-bedbug-however, entomologists (the individuals that study insects) consider bed bug as two words.
Clinical Information Concerning Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are bloodsucking (hematophagous) insects. Most of the species only feed on humans when there is no other prey is available.
Cimicidae or bed bugs are tiny parasitic insects. Cimex lectularius is the most common kind and generally refers to the species whose preferred food is human blood. All the insects within this family survive by feeding entirely on the blood of mammals and birds.
Carbon dioxide, warmth and certain chemicals attract the bed bugs to their hosts.
The bed bugs name is derived from its preferred habitat. Bed bugs prefer to reside in houses, especially in beds or any other area where a person sleeps. Despite the fact that bed bugs are usually more active during the night, they are not considered to be strictly nocturnal.
Where Bed Bugs Live
Bed bugs will many times live in an individuals bedding or birds nests. This is to allow for easy access to the host they will feed upon. The bed bug generally feeds on the sleeping host approximately an hour before dawn.
Bed Bugs A.K.A.
There are various other names that bed bugs have been given including bed louse, mahogany flat, wall louse, wallpaper flounder, crimson rambler, redcoat, nightriders, heavy dragoon and chinche.
Bed Bug Survival Characteristics
A bed bugs life span will fluctuate and depends on the species of bug and the bug’s ability to feed.
Bed bugs communicate using pheromones and chemicals. They communicate regarding reproduction, nesting locations and feeding.
Bed bugs have the ability to survive a broad range of atmospheric compositions and temperatures. At temperatures below 61.0°F (16.1°C), the adult bed bugs enter into a semi-hibernation state that helps them to survive longer in the colder temperature.
Bed Bugs are able to survive for five days in the least at a temperature as low as 14°F (-10°C). However, bed bugs will die after just fifteen minutes of exposure to -26°F (-32°C).
They demonstrate a high tolerance to desiccation by surviving in low humidity and a range of 95°F to 104°F (35°C to 40°C) even with the loss of 1/3 of their body weight. The earlier life stages of the bed bug are much more likely to dry out than the latter ones.
Where Bed Bugs Struggle
C. lectularius has a high thermal death point of 113°F (45°C). All life stages are killed by seven minutes after being subjected to a temperature of 115°F (46°C).
Bed bugs are not able to survive in areas with a high concentration of carbon dioxide for any length of time. However, exposure to an atmosphere that consists of nearly pure nitrogen has shown very little effect on the bed bug even after 3 days in this environment.
Even though a bed bug can survive for an entire year without a blood meal, they will usually feed every 5 to 10 days. During cold weather, a bed bug will live approximately a year. At the temperatures that are more favorable to feeding and activity, they will live about five months.
In 2009, at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America it was noted that the newer, pesticide-resistant generations of bed bugs in Virginia survived only 2 months without being able to feed.
What Affects Bed Bugs
We know that bed bugs can be infected by no less than 28 human pathogens; no study has found that the bed bug has the ability to transmit any of these pathogens to a human being.
Interestingly, human blood meals recovered from bed bugs within 90 days still contain human DNA. This allows the DNA to be forensically tested. This assists in identifying the hosts the bed bugs had been feeding on.
The bed bugs discard their outer shells after molting. These discarded shells are clear and empty exoskeletons that resemble the bed bugs themselves. A bed bug has to molt six times before it becomes a fertile adult.
Several companies have begun to experiment with high-speed gas chromatography for the use of detecting bed bugs and other insect pests.
How the Bed Bug Takes Your Blood
The bed bug uses a stylet fascicle to pierce the host’s skin. This is a unit that is composed of the mandibles and maxillae, which have modified themselves into elongated shapes from a more basic, ancestral style. The left and right maxillary stylets are connected at the midline.
There is a section at the center that forms a small salivary canal and a large food canal. The whole mandibular & maxillary bundle penetrates the host’s skin. The tips of the left and right maxillary stylets are not identical. The left is straight while the right one is curved and looks like a hook.
The left and right mandibular stylets run along the outer sides of the maxillary stylets and do not reach the tip of the maxillary stylets, which are fused.
The stylets are kept in a groove within the labium of the bed bug. During the feeding process, the stylets are freed from this groove, which is jointed and then folds or bends out to release the stylets.
Bed Bug’s Teeth
There are small teeth in the mandibular stylet. These teeth move back and forth alternately affording the insect the ability to cut the tissue and make a path allowing the maxillary bundle to reach the appropriate sized vessel to obtain blood.
It will return to the same capillary repeatedly, which is why there will be multiple bites close to one another.
Once the insect has completed feeding, it will withdraw the stylet bundle and retract it back into the groove in the labium. It will then fold the whole unit under the head again and then returns to its dark and safe hiding place. It takes 5-10 minutes for the bed bug to completely engorge itself with blood.
Negative Health Effects Caused by Bed Bugs
Several negative health effects can occur because of bed bugs. These health conditions include psychological issues, skin rashes and allergy symptoms.
Cimicosis or bed bug bites sometimes lead to a variety of skin manifestations. Some forms have prominent blisters while others have no visible effects.
Positively diagnosing the patient with a bed bug bite rash requires locating the bed bugs and evidence of symptoms compatible with this rash.
Physical and Psychological Issues
Psychological issues are caused by the bed bug because the patient may be hesitant to sleep. The patient may also have the sensation of bugs crawling on him when he is trying to sleep.
Bites from a bed bug will usually produce swelling around the bite similar to a mosquito bite. These bites can be distinguished from the mosquitoes bite because a bed bug bite will have a red dot in the center that is similar to a fleabite.
The bites can take more than a week to appear and will generally be in groups of three. These bites will be about 6 mm or ¼” apart. Amazingly, approximately half of the people that are bitten will not show any signs of a bite whatsoever, they may experience nausea, anxiety or insomnia instead.
Indications of Bed Bug Infestation
Bed bugs do not indicate an untidy or unclean residence or establishment. They are found in some of the cleanest environments. Bed bugs are often found in bedding, sheets, in wall cracks, in wood furniture and behind loosened wallpaper.
Because bed bugs are usually somewhat nocturnal and elusive, they are difficult to find. They can usually be found in inconspicuous dark crevices. Eggs may be nicely nestled and attached with a sticky substance in the seams of fabric.
Bed bugs can be found by themselves on occasion, but generally congregate once they have become established.
If the insect itself has not been seen, there are a few telltale signs that indicate a bed bug infestation. These signs include molted skins of the bed bugs, blood spots and tiny spots of bed bug excrement.
Bed Bug Bite Signs
The most noticeable sign is the bed bug bites an individual receives at night while sleeping. These bites can be anywhere on the body, however, bed bugs tend to feed on exposed areas of the host.
Therefore, these bites will generally be found on the face, neck, arms and legs. These bites will be in a row.
A Rather Unique Bed Bug Detector
Bed bugs can be detected by smell. They secrete odors with the smell characteristics of over-ripe raspberries, almonds or the herbs coriander and cilantro.
Just as dogs are trained to detect illegal substances by smell, New York has trained dogs for the detection of pinpointing bed bug infestations! According to tests conducted by researchers under controlled conditions, the accuracy rate of the pest companies’ dogs is possibly 97.5%.
Because this was a test conducted in a controlled setting, these tests do not necessarily reflect the success rates in the real world. This is due to the many other possible variables out in the field.
Whereas a practitioner of pest control may need an hour to pinpoint infestation areas, the dogs can usually detect the areas in mere minutes.
As of 2009, the United States has used approximately 100 dogs to locate bed bugs.
Natural Predators of the Bed Bug
Cockroaches, spiders-in particular the Thanatus flavidus, centipedes, ants, mites and ‘the masked’ bed bug hunter.
The venom of the Pharaoh ant-Monomorium pharaonis is fatal to bed bugs. It is thought that biological pest control to eliminate bed bugs from dwellings is not incredibly practical.
How Bed Bug Infestations are Treated
One of the main reasons bed bugs had nearly become extinct was because of harsh pesticides. These pesticides, including DDT, were used in the ‘60s and early ‘70s throughout much of the world as a way to treat insect infestations.
As countries began realizing the hazards associated with these harsh pesticides, they began banning them. At that time, it was unclear that the use of these pesticides was reducing the bed bug infestations.
To eradicate bed bugs, many times it is necessary to use a combination of non-pesticide and pesticide approaches. Pesticides found to be effective in the eradication of bed bugs include dichlorvos, pyrethroids and malathion.
Pesticide Resistance
Pesticide resistance has increased quite a bit over time. There are many concerns of the possible negative health effects from using them. Instead of using pesticides, mechanical approaches are recommended such as heat treating or vacuuming the insects up. Many people have chosen to wrap their mattress and bedsprings to protect them.
Propoxur is a carbamate insecticide that is extremely toxic to bed bugs. The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States is reluctant to approve this insecticide for use indoors. If children have chronic exposure to the chemical, it could be toxic to them.
However, this does not mean that a harsh pesticide is necessary to eliminate bed bugs. Today, there a several pesticides that is friendlier to the environment and safer to use.
These pesticides can also kill bed bugs easily. Bed bugs can usually be eliminated with diligent vacuuming of carpet, steam cleaning of furniture and mattresses as well as frequent washing of bed linens in hot water and Borax.
Traditional Methods That Were Used to Repel and/or Kill Bed Bugs
Some of the traditional methods for repelling and/or killing a bed bug include using fungi, insects, plants, or their extracts such as, black cohosh, black pepper, Eucalyptus saligna oil, infused oil of Melolontha vulgaris, henna, Actaea, fly agaric, true turpentine, tobacco, Robert geranium, wild mint, bayberry, narrow-leaved pepperwort, bugbane, European cranberry bush, seeds and herb of Cannabis, masked bed bug hunter bugs and these are just a few.
The smoke from a peat fire was recommended in the 19th century.
For centuries, dusts have been utilized to ward off various insects from grain storage areas. These dusts include lime, plant ash, and dolomite, certain kinds of soil as well as diatomaceous earth or Kieselguhr.
Of these dusts, diatomaceous earth (in particular) has been revived as a nontoxic residual pesticide. When in amorphous form, this dust is nontoxic and is used for abatement of bed bugs. Insects that are exposed to this dust may take a few days to die.
19th Century European Techniques
In the 19th century, another way of protecting themselves from bed bugs in France and the UK was used. The individual would place basketwork panels around his bed and then shake them out the following morning.
In the Balkans and southern Rhodesia, leaves of plants that had microscopic hooked hairs were scattered around the bed prior to retiring. These leaves would be swept up in the morning and then they would be burned.
Before the mid-20th century, bed bugs were extremely common. In a report by the UK Ministry of Health, it was stated that in 1933, there were numerous areas throughout the UK where ALL the homes had some kind of infestation of bed bugs.
Bed bugs were a very serious issue during World War II. A comment from General MacArthur stated that the bed bugs were “the greatest nuisance insect problem…at bases in the United States.”
Bed Bug Habit Change
Possibly, because of some of the insecticides we use today, bed bugs seem to be on the move. They tend to go from one room to another and are even becoming more active during the daytime.
People generally do not recognize a bed bug or the signs of bed bug infestation. Until just recently, the majority of those under the age of 50 had never even seen a bed bug.
There Aren’t Any More Magic Bullet Insecticides like DDT
DDT has been gone for some time and so are all the other insecticides that were chlorinated hydrocarbon. Our modern insecticides seem to be ineffective against bed bugs. We are now facing bed bugs that have some level of resistance to insecticides.
The Bed Bug’s Resistance to Pesticides
Bed bugs have been developing pesticide resistance to numerous pesticides including organophosphates and DDT.
Some of the bed bug populations have become resistant to pyethroid insecticides. Although pyethroid is often ineffective, the bed bugs resistance to this insecticide affords for investigation into other chemicals that work in different ways.
Because of continued exploration, chemical management can possibly continue to be involved with resolving bed bug infestations. There has been a growing interest in the use of synthetic pyrrole and pyrethroid insecticide, chlorfenapyr. Sometimes, insect growth regulators like hydroprene (Gentrol) are used.
Populations in Arkansas have become very resistant to DDT. In fact, studies that were conducted in Africa showed the bed bugs became more active.
Escalation of Pesticide Resistance
Bed bugs pesticide-resistance seems to be escalating dramatically. Populations that were sampled from across the United States displayed tolerance for pyrethroids greater than the laboratory bed bugs.
The bed bugs in New York City show a resistance to deltamethrin of 264 times more than the bed bugs in Florida due to their mutations and evolution.
A mitochondrial DNA marker was used in a study for population genetics of bed bugs in the U.S., Australia and Canada. This study found elevated levels of genetic variation in the bed bugs.
This would suggest that the bed bug populations did not go through a genetic bottleneck as would be expected from the insecticide control in the ‘40s and ‘50s. Instead, it suggests that the populations may have maintained by feeding on other hosts like bats and birds.
This is in contrast to the variations in genetics that was observed with the Mitochondrial DNA marker, there was no variation in the nuclear RNA marker. This would suggest the bed bugs have increased gene flow of the previously isolated populations.
The absence of the barriers concerning the gene flow indicates that the spread of resistance to insecticide could be rapid.
Bed Bugs and the UK
Bed bugs have been a problem in the UK for centuries, but the problem has definitely worsened in the last few years. Their bed bug problem seems to occur in cycles. In the early part of the 20th century, estimations suggest that approximately four million people located in London were being bitten by bed bugs regularly.
Some of the countries had even worse problems with approximately 33% of the homes located in Stockholm being infested during that time.
The Bed Bugs are Returning with a Vengeance
Just like in North America, during the ‘50s and ‘60s the UK’s bed bug infestation problem began diminishing considerably. This decrease in the infestation is believed to be partly because of the newly developed insecticides becoming more available.
The problem has returned, according to some of the UK based companies for pest control. One company estimates that the amount of bed bugs has risen by as much as 40%.
However, this percentage may not be very accurate because experts believe that many of the UK bed bug infestations are not reported. Understandably, there are a multitude of people who are ashamed when they find their home is infested with bed bugs. These people decide to try to eradicate the problem on their own, as opposed to reporting it.
What Has Caused the Increase in Bed Bug Infestation in the UK?
Again, increased travel overseas and people bringing the bed bugs back unknowingly is thought to be one of the main reasons for the increase in infestations. After hosting the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the bed bug infestation in the country was enormous, with estimations that approximately 95% of the hotels located in Sydney were affected.
Some of the experts think that the weakened UK economy is also one of the reasons for the rise in the number of bed bugs. This is because more people are traveling between the cities looking for work and many times staying in hotels.
It is thought that these individuals may be inadvertently carrying the bed bugs to the various locations in their luggage and on their clothing.
Bed bugs are not only found in the hotels, motels and Inns of the UK, they can usually be found in the airports, other transportation vehicles and railway stations too. The larger cities that have a more transitory population tend to have bed bug infestations.
Second Hand Clothes & Other Items
Another issue is the increased number of individuals purchasing second hand clothes, furniture and bedding. Bed bugs are often found in older bedding, sheets, mattresses and clothes.
Pest control companies do not always identify the cities or towns that are infested with bed bugs. This is because the local councils do not want the public to know that there could be a bed bug problem in their area.
How is the UK Dealing with the Bed Bug Resurgence?
Pest control companies within the UK have been attempting to alleviate their problem with bed bugs by trying to destroy them with a new chemical. Their strategy is somewhat effective; however, eventually the bed bugs will once again develop immunity to the chemical.
The reality is that any of the experimental or new chemicals that are being used today will eventually be useless in the battle against bed bugs. Once this happens, the search will begin for another new chemical to assist in eradicating the bed bugs.
Bed Bug Bites = Lawsuit against a Top London Hotel
Despite efforts to get rid of bed bugs, many of the top hotels are still plagued with these little pests. In fact, in 2007 there was an incident concerning a bed bug infestation at one of the top hotels in the UK.
This luxurious, top of the line hotel was the Mandarin Oriental located in London. A very prominent attorney along with his wife sued the Mandarin Oriental for several MILLION dollars.
While staying at the hotel for a total of five days in 2006, they suffered hundreds of bed bug bites. The couple also stated that bed bugs had crawled into their clothing and luggage, returned to the United States with them and then proceeded to infest their New York apartment.
Case Outcome
This court case has paved the way for several other lawsuits concerning bed bugs. These cases have occurred overseas as well as in the UK. It is difficult to determine how many cases there have been since hotels do not welcome the negative publicity that is associated with bed bug infestation.
If bed bugs are encountered in a hotel or accommodation that has been rented, it is important to notify someone immediately so they can be exterminated.
Bed Bugs and the Economy
Not only are bed bug bites uncomfortable and sometimes expensive to eliminate if a secondary skin infection occurs, but there are other consequences of an infestation.
Hostels and hotels have been sued by guests that suffered bed bug bites and/or rashes while staying at the establishment. However, usually the establishments will settle with the previous guests out of court attempting to avoid the negative publicity.
Hotel Rate Increases
The threat of possible lawsuits has led to rate increases at some hotels. The extra revenue is used to enact a very thorough extermination plan. Some hostels have resorted to measures that are more drastic. They are making it a policy that all guests MUST shower prior to entering their room.
First, we have to contend with the high fuel costs and now some of the smaller airlines have been forced to raise their rates to hire a more thorough cleaning service. This cleaning service is necessary to eliminate any bed bugs that are attempting to ‘stow away’ in the luggage holds and seating areas of the plane.
The European Union and Bed Bugs
Most of us grew up with our parents putting us to bed with the familiar phrase ‘Night, night, sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite,’ then they would run their hand up our leg and stomach mimicking a bug. However, many parents are not aware that the bed bug is a real insect that packs a nasty bite.
Another one of the areas that has started to see a notable increase in bed bug infestations is Europe, despite their efforts to reduce or control them. In some parts of Europe, the infestations have nearly DOUBLED with each year that passes.
I hope that we will have the ability to rid ourselves of these irritating insects in the near future, until then, Nightie Night and good night, BE SURE NOT TO LET THE BED BUGS BITE!
