A bed bugs history, where they come from

Bed bugs disappeared as common household pests for many years. However, these bugs have made a strong comeback in recent years. Bed bugs history dates back to ancient times, but why have these pests become such a common problem again?

History and Origins

Bed bugs are believed to have come from the Middle East originally. Bed bugs history shows that they first lived in caves along with humans and bats, which gave them a steady supply of food. Fossils of bed bugs date back more than 3,500 years. As civilizations developed in ancient Egypt, ancient Rome and other places, these bugs thrived. 

The bed bugs history puts these pests in Italy by 100 A.D. and France by the 1400s. They were also found in China by 600 A.D. Both wealthy individuals living in castles and larger homes and working-class families in smaller homes and huts had to deal with infestations of these bugs. 

Bed bugs first came to the U.S. in the 1700s with the colonists from Europe. They quickly spread throughout North America, including Canada. Their decline finally happened in the 1950s.

Bed Bug Decline and Return

The use of DDT for pest control helped eliminate bed bug infestations around the world throughout the 1950s and 1960s. However, DDT was banned from pesticide use in 1972 due to its association with increased cancer risks. Thus the bed bugs history shows that they began to return in the 1980s, and their numbers have increased drastically in recent years. 

During the 1990s, bed bugs history indicates that these pests began showing up more in businesses, as well as homes. Hotels and other accommodations suffered from infestations of these pests. Other buildings, such as nursing homes, also began having more and more bed bug problems during this time. 

Bed Bugs Today

These days, bed bug infestations are on the rise in homes and businesses around the world. Infestations occur more often compared to earlier times. Even high-end hotels and government buildings have had to deal with these pests. Bed bugs become more common since they develop a tolerance for many pesticides. This has made bed bug control more difficult in many areas. It’s also easy for these pests to spread due to increased human travel all over the world.

These bugs are able to get into your home in different ways:

• They can be brought into homes on pieces of secondhand furniture and other items, such as clothing. 
• Pets can bring them into homes. Bed bugs climb onto them when they’re outdoors.
• You can find them on luggage and other travel items. 
• They can get into homes from other attached or connected dwellings through ductwork, such as in apartment buildings.

Detecting these bugs in your home can be hard if you’re not sure what to look for. Watch for bites on your skin, along with small, dark specks on your bed linens. You might also catch these bugs crawling around your home. If you find any, don’t attempt to get rid of them on your own. The professionals at Budget Brothers Termite & Pest can ensure that these pests are thoroughly removed from your home, so you don’t have to worry about another infestation. 

If you found bed bugs in your home, please contact us immediately for treatment. We have all of the equipment needed to eliminate these pests.