A Short History of Bed Bugs and Their Treatments
There has been a lot written about bed bugs in the last 10 years. Bed bugs have rapidly become our most influential pest causing great stress and a considerable economic impact on our society. By the 1950s, bed bugs were under control in the US, but with the tremendous increase in international travel, bed bugs are back with a vengeance.
Pest control operators are unable to successfully treat for bed bugs because the available products are no longer very effective against them. In the days when DDT and other such chemicals were widely used, bed bugs were kept at bay in the US and maintained under control as a by-product of regular ant and roach treatments in the home. DDT was very effective at killing all bugs, including bed bugs. Unfortunately, DDT was also very efficient at killing people and animals, and so it was banned in the early 1970s.
Other very toxic chemicals were also effective against bed bugs, but those have been banned as well due to the high risk associated with them. Historically, bed bugs have been excellent at developing resistance to pesticides, which accounts for the ineffectiveness of today’s pesticides against bed bugs. Natural and synthetic pyretrins based insecticides are no longer lethal; they merely act as repellents. In apartment buildings, bed bugs are driven from one unit to the next with the use of these products, only to return when your neighbor takes action. Even with the use of these mild pyrethrins based insecticides, consumers are poisoning themselves by improperly using these products, and over-using them until they become poisonous.
The 5-Step Program introduced on this website has been proven successful at eliminating bed bug infestations. The fact that the products used are Natural and non-toxic is an extra added benefit. Start by reading The 5-Step Program and educate yourself on the alternatives to traditional pesticide treatments.
