As a young child, I remember visiting my grandparent’s farm each summer. The days were long and warm, the nights quiet and dark. So quiet in fact, I still recall falling asleep to the melodic chirping of field crickets interrupted only the occasional slamming sound of the hog feeding bin lid. I recall fondly my grandmother tucking me in at night, each time uttering that same similar phrase taught to her in her youth…. Although I was never bitter by a bed bug, (you see back in the 70’s to see a bed bug was very rare) this phrase did conjure up some very interesting ‘dreams’ in my youth.
HISTORY OF THE BED BUG
Bed bugs were introduced to the Americas by European explorers in the 17th century. In fact, bed bugs were such an issue in Europe that French explorers “kept” cockroaches on their ships as castaways (Professor? Have you seen Gilligan?) They believed that the cockroaches would fed on the eggs and nymphs of bed bugs.
Well, as might be expected, bed bugs prospered in the new world during the 18th and 19th centuries to the point that well-to-do-men who travelled in these post-colonial times would either carry a pig with them (or rent one for the evening). When these travelers were ready to bed down for the evening, they would place the ‘pig-in-a-blanket’, put the pig in the bed and the bed bugs would come ut and bite the pig, get their fill, and be gone for the night.
Bed bug prosperity reached new heights following the industrial revolutions of the late 1800’s which saw people—en masse-flocking to urban centers in search of the “American Dream”. Here we began to see overcrowding of people which lead to an upswing in unsanitary conditions—conditions perfect for bed bug growth. During these times (up through the 1930’s) bed bug control was largely ineffective. People would commonly place the legs of their beds in containers of kerosene and treat the bed frames with benzene (both of which as extremely flammable. Ever heard the story of Mrs. O’Leary, her cow, and the great fires of Chicago? Coincidence?
Hmmmm….) however, it was not until the 1940’s, with the advent of DDT that bed bugs had finally met their match. DDT would be sprayed on and around the bed with its residual control lasting upwards of a year which eventually forced the bed bug to become regulated to the lowly status of ‘occasional pest’ mainly seen arbitrarily in low income housing units. However, DDT was banned in 1972 due to environmental concerns.
And now bed bugs are beginning to rear their ugly heads again. Why now?
THE RESURGENCE
There are several theories as to why bed bugs are making a comeback.
1. Today, the pest control industry is mainly bait-oriented. Pest control technicians no longer automatically spray baseboards or apply insecticide barriers around bedrooms and sleeping areas.
2. Increased worldwide travel, immigration, and relocation of populations from one city to another.
3. Increased exchange of second hand merchandise. Shabby-Chic is in. Therefore, we see an increased occurrence of antique stores, flea markets, and garage sales.
Whichever theories are correct, one thing is clear; bed bugs are once again becoming a noteworthy problem. The critical question is how bad will it be tomorrow or next year? Could it get as bad as it was in the 1920’s and 1930’s when up to 33% of residential dwellings were exposed to bed bugs which led these not-so-microscopic monsters to a lofty rank of “top three pests” in all around structures (trailing behind mice and cockroaches). Fortunately, we as pest control technicians are far better equipped today then were our counterparts from half a century ago to deal with this re-emerging threat.
PEST TECHNICIANS TODAY HAVE BETTER TOOLS
This coupled with a far greater understanding of the bed bugs biology and habits will once again make us more than a worthy opponent. Welcome back old friend. We have a little gift for you.
A WORKING DEFINITION OF AN ‘INSECT’
- A small invertebrate animal with a three (3) segmented body (head, thorax, and abdomen).
- Two antennae
- Three pairs of legs
- Usually 1 or 2 pairs of wings
- Exterior skeleton referred to as an exoskeleton
- The scientific naming convention of an insect is as follows:
· Kingdom: Animal
· Phylum: Arthropoda
· Class: Insecta
· Order:
· Family:
· Genus/Species:
SCIENTIFIC NAME OF THE COMMON BED BUG
• Kingdom: Animal
• Phylum: Arthropoda
• Class: Insecta
• Order: Hemiptera
• Family: Cimicidae
• Genus/Species: Cimex Lectularius (Linnaeus)
For more information about Bed Bugs or how to protect your home and family against this invader, please contact your local Springer Professional Home Services branch location.
