Bed Bugs seem to be the 'Flavor of the Month' as far as news reports go. For years, they were something only discussed in Nursery Rhymes at bed time yet now they are giving rise to nightmarish horror stories. What gives?
Ends up they never really left. They were almost eradicated in the 1950's and 1960's when DDT enjoyed widespread use but then again, a lot of other species were practically wiped out too. DDT pushed many creatures to the brink of extinction and thankfully, DDT was banned in the United States. Enough damage had been done to the bed bug population that they became nothing but a part of a simple rhyme children recite at night. Ironically, most children didn't even know that they were real - until the last two years.
These irritating pests have continued to multiply in other countries just as they have done since the dawn of man. Dense, large human populations have ongoing issues with these particular parasites as the greater the concentration of people, the more likely bed bugs will be at the party. Since they are not known to carry any diseases, they are typically just considered an everyday nuisance along the lines of high humidity or heavy traffic. But to an educated, prosperous culture like the United States, blood sucking monsters during the vulnerable sleep time makes 'nuisance' a woefully inadequate term.
So where in the heck did they come from? And get here with such a vengeance? There are several contributing factors and unfortunately, they will continue to fan the flames of bed bug infestations for years to come.
Increased international travel is a big culprit in the transmission of these pests. One of the easiest ways to get them is in the luggage compartment of an airplane therefore, many who transport these creatures have no idea they are doing it. This is how they are getting into unlikely places such as 5-Star Hotels, all modes of public transportation, and in Aunt Edna's guest bedroom.
The ultimate contributing factor is that pesticides are no longer working. Most pesticides used today are synthetic poisons and pests have developed immunity. It is a phenomenon called 'Pesticide Resistance' and it occurs whenever members of a pest population are exposed to a pesticide: a certain percentage will survive and then pass that resilience on to their offspring. There are certain strains of bed bugs that are resistant to every single product used to control them. No wonder they are spreading if nothing can control them!
But they ARE controllable! The key is diligence in prevention and then swift action if they are discovered. Thoroughly inspect luggage and all new purchases before bringing them into your home. If you find any evidence, use natural products to control them as they are not likely to be resistant to natural products - only immune to synthetic poisons.
Ten years ago, these blood thirsty creatures hardly existed in our world and today you can find them just about anywhere. They are not a socio-economic issue, they are not a cleanliness issue and they are not just a problem for somebody else. Unfortunately, the chances of coming into contact with bed bugs in the next five years are statistically 100%. So where in the heck do bed bugs come from? Everywhere So beware and be diligent!
Louise Hodges is the owner of Greenbug All Natural Pest Control Products which are safe and effective pest control solutions for People, Pets, Indoors, and Outdoors.
Greenbug products kill and repel all the pests you don't want such as Bed Bugs, Mosquitoes, Fleas, Ticks, Fire Ants, Roaches, Stink Bugs, Silverfish, Dust Mites, White Fly, Sugar Ants, etc. but cause no harm whatsoever to beneficial creatures such as butterflies, lady bugs and honey bees.
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Louise is honored to have the opportunity to provide safe, worry-free pest control solutions that work!
For more information, go to http://www.greenbugallnatural.com/
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