Bed Bug Pesticide

Bed bugs were once a very common and annoying pest. However, during the 1940's and 1950's when the use of the synthetic pesticide DDT was popular the bed bug was nearly wiped out of existence. Lately though the crafty and flea-like insects have made an unwelcome comeback in major urban areas due to a number of factors with natural resistance to pesticides being at the top of the list. Another cause leading to the resurgence is that the more standard gel-based pesticides used today to exterminate cockroaches and ants do not work on bugs since the insects are not attracted to the gels.

Bed bugs tend to feed every five to ten days but studies have shown an adult bed bug can go up to 18 months without feeding. It is very common for infestations to go unnoticed for months and even years which make it easy for bed bugs to lay eggs and reproduce at alarming rates. More often than not a person will only know they have a bed bug problem after being bitten. Producing small, track like marks that produce a red welt or bump that causes itching and irritation bed bug bites are very similar to the traits of a mosquito bite and can be as hard to detect.

Bed bugs reach their hosts by crawling or climbing walls and ceilings and then dropping down on unsuspecting victims. These insects are attracted by heat and a warm human body at rest emitting carbon dioxide is a perfect landing spot for an adult bed bug. The bugs then pierce the human skin with two hollow tubes, one to inject its saliva and the other to withdraw the blood. Normal feeding lasts roughly five minutes after which the bed bug will return to its hiding place. Though not classified as nocturnal most bed bugs commonly feed at night or just before dawn and the insects have shown to have a natural aversion to sunlight.

Because of their light weight and small size bugs travel easily along pipes and floor boards and their flat bodies allows them to hide out in tiny crevices. Bed bugs usually congregate in groups and are often found in mattresses, mattress seams, mattress interiors, bed frames, carpeting, base boards, sofas and inner walls.

Bed bugs were originally brought to the United States by European colonists. Thriving in high occupancy places such as hotels and tenement buildings bed bugs found a perfect breeding ground in early 1900's American cities, primarily New York. In addition to US cities such bugs can be found around the globe including England, Spain, Germany, India and Australia among other nations.

Thought to be eradicated with the heavy use of DDT in the 1950's bed bugs have made a recent resurgence and the new generation of bed bugs is proving to be naturally resistant to many pesticides and chemicals. Normally using humans as hosts these bugs can also travel via household pets and wild birds making infestations more widespread. Of course, bed bugs are mostly known for hiding out in mattresses, sofas and other furniture.

Kevin is a professional writer with over 20 years experience in copy writing, advertising, journalism and marketing.