Cimex lectularius, AKA: the bed bug, has plagued humanity since time immemorial. Evidence of bed bugs have been found in ancient Egypt and in settlements like Jamestown. Throughout time every civilization has had to deal with these dreaded bloodsuckers.
Sufferers of bed bugs went to great lengths to rid themselves of their torment. Some going to the extent of soaking their linens in gasoline. Alcohol spray was used as a home remedy, as well as fumigating using sulfur gas was not uncommon. In the 1800's and early 1900's formulations of arsenic and/or mercury were used to control infestations. Cyanide gas was another method used for bed bug eradication. The safest formulations were powders of pyrethrum, made from crushed chrysanthemum flowers. There was a problem with these solutions, most have no lasting effects, so reintroduction was always a concern. The use of pyrethrum risked spreading the problem to other areas of the structure, as it is a repellent. Then a breakthrough occurred, in 1939 the insecticidal properties of DDT were discovered. Finally, a solution with residual effects that was easy to apply and lasted for years! The result were decades in which the United States was nearly bed bug free.
There was a problem though, bed bugs go resistant to formulations fairly quickly. Even with the use of DDT a resurgence was imminent. Before we experienced the effects of the resistance, DDT was banned and synthetic pyrethrum (pyrethroids) became the chosen form of control. By this time, occurrences were few and far between, as the results from widespread use of DDT were still in effect.
In the early 2000's something was happening once again, bed bugs were making a comeback. The use of pyrethroids as the main control was resulting in resistance. Most products available to consumers today are still depending on the effectiveness of pyrethroids even with this resistance well known. Due to the resistance issue, lack of other options due to regulatory restrictions, and absence of residual pesticides choices; the bed bug resurgence started. No longer is this an uncommon occurrence, 1 out of 5 people in the United States has had or knows someone who has had bed bug issues.
Fortunately, there are solutions. Knowledge and technology on bed bug control has advanced beyond the "soak your linens in gasoline" days, and even past "spray the room down" . The frequency of bed bug infestations has caused a boost in research on the insect, resulting in the development of systematic procedures to eliminate them. Integrated pest management breakthroughs have resulted in less dependence on pesticides and far more responsible use of them. Included in this responsible use, is resistance management procedures that can help us avoid the problems that are caused by the bed bugs properties of swift resistance. Recently, the release of bio-insecticides targeting bed bugs have given even more and safer options both for people and the environment.
With the availability of some pesticides to consumers, there have been many attempting to control the situation on their own. Most going back to the "spray it down" and the "mix it stronger" tactics of the past, and some using "natural" methods they've conjured up on their own or from an online search. The truth is there is no magic solution, and control is dependant on a systematic approach using knowledge that only experience can provide. It should be remembered that as with many things in life, amateur efforts usually produce amateur results.
Even with all the changes in control that have occurred through the years, there is one recommendation that has stood the test of time: Be vigilant and proactive.
