Where Do Bed Bugs Come From? | Family Handyman

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Bed bugsjust the thought of them makes you itchy, doesnt it? These tiny critters feed on human blood and love to hide in and around the cracks and corners of our beds. And even though they dont carry disease, they do cause a red, itchy rash.

These bugs have been around for thousands of years. Scientists have fossilized bugs that are more than 3,500 years old. Its believed they originated in the Middle East, in caves that were used by both humans and bats, and in the ancient world they were often used as a home remedy. The Egyptians used to drink them to cure snake bites!

Bed bugs can be found all over the world, but perhaps surprisingly, the worst infestation problems tend to occur in developed countries where people use bed frames and soft bedding. Between 1930 and 1980, they were almost eliminated because chemicals like DDT were used to tackle infestations, but since DDT was banned, theres been a huge increase. Many are now immune to todays pest control chemicals. And increased levels of international travel are helping fuel the problem, as bedbugs can travel on clothing and in suitcases and bags.

The U.S. cities with the most frequent recorded outbreaks are: New York City, Baltimore, Chicago and Cleveland. The states with the worst record for infestations are: New York, California, Florida, Ohio, New Jersey and Maryland.

Bed bugs are very difficult to eradicate, especially the eggs, so first its important to try and prevent an infestation in the first place. Follow the steps in this detailed guide. But once theyre established, they breed rapidly. An adult will lay around 250 eggs in their life cycle and they only take 6 to 10 days to hatch.

It is possible to treat your home yourself? Heres our DIY guide to getting rid of bedbugs. If youve tried and still have a problem, professional help will be needed to eliminate them completely.

Cant get enough bed-bug talk? Check out this comparison: bed bugs vs. dust mites.

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Where Do Bed Bugs Come From? | Family Handyman

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