Bed Bugs are Back and Worse Than Ever

Bed bugs were a common problem in the United States in the early 20th century, and were probably brought to America on the Mayflower. During the 1950s, due to unregulated use of poisonous insecticides, bed bugs were nearly eradicated. In fact, up until about 20 years ago, bed bugs were so rare that many professional pest control companies did not treat for bed bugs. Thankfully, we have been able to catch up with the reemergence of bed bugs, and have many ways to help prevent, control, and eliminate infestations from your home.

Aristotle wrote about bed bugs around the year 77 AD, and even then, they were a problem for everyone from rich to poor in Rome. By the 1700s, bed bugs had spread across Europe and had been stowaways on ships that eventually landed in America. By the 1800s, they were so common that people made beds out of sassafras wood to try and deter bed bugs, and used arsenic and boiling water to clean their beds. In an attempt to try and control the spread of bed bugs, passenger ships forbade passengers from bringing their own bedding on board, and instead used bedding cleaned in sulfur for the cabins.

These methods were used until the 1950s, when a new pesticide was introduced called DDT. DDT was a powerful poisoning agent, and was dusted or sprayed all over infested homes. DDT was a very effective method of controlling bed bugs, and for many years, bed bugs became a rare problem associated with unsanitary living conditions. Bed bugs began to develop an immunity to DDT, but with better cleaning tools like vacuum cleaners and electric washing machines, people were better able to prevent an infestation from occurring in the first place.

DDT was banned in 1972 because it caused cancer in people and because it was also killing wildlife. Around the same time, worldwide travel became much more common and bed bugs began to make their comeback. By the 1990s, hotels in “gateway” cities like Miami, New York, and San Francisco began to have bed bug infestations. Without the ability to use DDT, bed bugs were able to spread to homes and rapidly became an epidemic again, regardless of cleanliness or sanitary conditions.

Right now, cases of bed bugs across the United States are still rising. People travel across the country much more easily than ever before, and can bring bed bugs with them without even knowing. All it takes is one egg-carrying female to hitch a ride on a suitcase or in clothing, and an infestation can start somewhere new.

The good news is that we have caught up with the resurgence of bed bugs with several different effective ways to identify, prevent, and get rid of bed bugs. As Jacksonville’s #1 bed bug evictor, we are qualified to help you at any stage of a bed bug infestation. Call us today to find out how we can help you keep bed bugs from making your household a part of their comeback.