World, Bed Bug Registry Map – Infestation Reports

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.

Read this article:
Where Do Bed Bugs Come From? | Family Handyman

At night, these parasites crawl onto your bed, bite you and suck your blood. Then they find a nearby hideout where they leave disgusting telltale signs. But these pests have an Achilles heel that stops them cold.

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Adult bed bugs are about the size and color of an apple seed. After biting, they hide in a nearby cranny, like the seam of the mattress.

At the University of California, Irvine, biologist and engineer Catherine Loudon is working to create synthetic surfaces that could trap bed bugs. She was inspired by the tiny hooked hairs that grow from the leaves of some varieties of beans, such as kidney and green beans. In nature, these hairs, called trichomes, pierce through the feet of the aphids and leafhoppers that like to feed on the plants.

Researchers have found that these pointy hairs are just as effective against bed bugs, even though the bloodsucking parasites dont feed on leaves. Loudons goal is to mimic a bean leafs mechanism to create an inexpensive, portable bed bug trap.

You could imagine a strip that would act as a barrier that could be placed virtually anywhere: across the portal to a room, behind the headboard, on subway seats, an airplane, Loudon said. They have six legs, so thats six opportunities to get trapped.

--- Where do bed bugs come from? Bed bugs dont fly or jump or come in from the garden. They crawl very quickly and hide in travelers luggage. They also move around on secondhand furniture, or from apartment to apartment.

--- How can I avoid bringing bed bugs home? It would probably be a prudent thing to do a quick bed check if youre sleeping in a strange bed, said Potter. His recommendation goes for hotel rooms, as well as dorms and summer camp bunk beds. He suggests pulling back the sheet at the head of the bed and checking the seams on the top and bottom of the mattress and the box spring.

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