Changes

The current resurgence of bedbug infestations appears to have started almost synchronously in the late 1990’s in Europe, the United States, and in Australia. 2007 data from a survey of pest control companies in the latter country indicated a 4500% increase over a seven year period.<ref>''Bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae): An evidence-based analysis of the current situation,'' Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Urban Pests, p. 1, 2008</ref><ref>Doggett S.L. and R.C. Russel, ''Bed bugs: Recent Trends and developments,'' Australian </ref>  

The current resurgence of bedbug infestations appears to have started almost synchronously in the late 1990’s in Europe, the United States, and in Australia. 2007 data from a survey of pest control companies in the latter country indicated a 4500% increase over a seven year period.<ref>''Bed bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae): An evidence-based analysis of the current situation,'' Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Urban Pests, p. 1, 2008</ref><ref>Doggett S.L. and R.C. Russel, ''Bed bugs: Recent Trends and developments,'' Australian </ref>  

The University of [[Kentucky]], which has provided much research on bedbugs, and the United States' National Pest Management Association reported that 95% of 521 U.S. pest management companies reported encountering a bedbug infestation in the past year. <ref>Potter MF, et al. ''Bugs Without Borders—Executive Summary'', Fairfax, VA:National Pest Management Association, Inc. (2010)</ref><ref>http://www.npmapestworld.org/documents/bbsurveyexecsummaryjuly26.pdf</ref>  Canada  reported similar numbers (98%), as well as  Europe (92%), and Africa/Middle East (90%).  In contrast, prior to the year 2000 only 25% of U.S. survey respondents reported bedbug infestations. In addition,  76 percent of survey respondents affirmed that bedbugs are the most difficult pest to treat, more so than cockroaches, ants and termites. "The results of the global study suggest that we are on the threshold of a bedbug pandemic, not just in the United States, but around the world," said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. The global survey showed pest control firms in Latin America and Asia where stronger, organophosphate chemicals are permitted.<ref>[http://www.pestworld.org/bedbug National Pest Management Association (NPMA), July 26, 2010]</ref><ref>BBC New Magazine, ''Don't let the bedbugs bite'', 2 September 2010</ref> In the United States, state and local government officials say they are being overwhelmed with complaints of bedbug infestations.

The University of [[Kentucky]], which has provided much research on bedbugs, and the United States' National Pest Management Association reported that 95% of 521 U.S. pest management companies reported encountering a bedbug infestation in the past year. <ref>Potter MF, et al. ''Bugs Without Borders—Executive Summary'', Fairfax, VA:National Pest Management Association, Inc. (2010)</ref><ref>http://www.npmapestworld.org/documents/bbsurveyexecsummaryjuly26.pdf</ref>  Canada  reported similar numbers (98%), as well as  Europe (92%), and Africa/Middle East (90%).  In contrast, prior to the year 2000 only 25% of U.S. survey respondents reported bedbug infestations. In addition,  76 percent of survey respondents affirmed that bedbugs are the most difficult pest to treat, more so than cockroaches, ants and termites. "The results of the global study suggest that we are on the threshold of a bedbug pandemic, not just in the United States, but around the world," said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. The global survey included pest control firms in Latin America and Asia, where stronger, organophosphate chemicals are permitted.<ref>[http://www.pestworld.org/bedbug National Pest Management Association (NPMA), July 26, 2010]</ref><ref>BBC New Magazine, ''Don't let the bedbugs bite'', 2 September 2010</ref> In the United States, state and local government officials say they are being overwhelmed with complaints of bedbug infestations.

===Causes of resurgence ===

===Causes of resurgence ===

The prime causes of the increased bedbug infestations are yet debated. Social aspects such as  increased travel immigration and population density, clutter, etc. and even climate change (dismissed), have all been blamed, as well as changing pest control products and methods and the development of strains of bedbugs that are resistant to insecticides. As regards the latter, this theory for the cause of bedbug resurgence postulates that use of DDT and its successors ([[DDT ban|DDT was banned]], effective Jan 1, 1973) on household pests such as the German [[cockroach]] also killed bedbugs before they became established in a home. After roaches developed resistance to insecticides being used, hydramethylnon bait was introduced in the early 1980s, which provided superior effectiveness. This resulted in a switch from spraying and dusting and baseboard treatment which also controlled bedbug populations, to the use of baits and Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) in the early 1990s. In addition, many more broad spectrum residual pesticides besides DDT were banned or heavily restricted in the United States and many developing countries during the past few decades, due to the danger of harmful effects to humans. These included the organophosphates, ''chlorpyrifos'' (Dursban, and to which bedbugs show no resistance to) and ''diazinon'', and the carbamate ''propoxur'' (Baygon, also deadly) which had became the indoor insecticides of choice to control cockroaches and most other pests. Replacing them were pyrethroid insecticides, all of which bedbugs have now developed resistance to.<ref>[http://waronbedbugs.blogspot.com/2007/03/tracing-cause-of-bedbug-epidemic.html The War on Bedbugs]</ref><ref>[http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ipr/i6046_829.html#2 ''Bed Bug Increase Due to Pesticide Regulation?''], University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Pesticide Review, May, 2009</ref>

The prime causes of the increased bedbug infestations are yet debated. Social aspects such as  increased travel immigration and population density, clutter, etc. and even climate change (dismissed) have all been blamed, as well as changing pest control products and methods and the development of strains of bedbugs that are resistant to insecticides.  

 

As regards the latter, this theory for the cause of bedbug resurgence postulates that use of DDT and its successors ([[DDT ban|DDT was banned]], effective Jan 1, 1973) on household pests such as the German [[cockroach]] also killed bedbugs before they became established in a home. After roaches developed resistance to insecticides being used, hydramethylnon bait was introduced in the early 1980s, which provided superior effectiveness. This resulted in a switch from spraying and dusting and baseboard treatment which also controlled bedbug populations, to the use of baits and Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) in the early 1990s. In addition, many more broad spectrum residual pesticides besides DDT were banned or heavily restricted in the United States and many developing countries during the past few decades, due to the danger of harmful effects to humans. These included the organophosphates, ''chlorpyrifos'' (Dursban, and to which bedbugs show no resistance to) and ''diazinon'', and the carbamate ''propoxur'' (Baygon, also deadly) which had became the indoor insecticides of choice to control cockroaches and most other pests. Replacing them were pyrethroid insecticides, all of which bedbugs have now developed resistance to.<ref>[http://waronbedbugs.blogspot.com/2007/03/tracing-cause-of-bedbug-epidemic.html The War on Bedbugs]</ref><ref>[http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ipr/i6046_829.html#2 ''Bed Bug Increase Due to Pesticide Regulation?''], University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Pesticide Review, May, 2009</ref>

Dr. Michael Potter, a  professor and urban entomologist at the University of Kentucky, stated, “What made this problem pretty much go away for decades was the availability of very effective, long-lasting insecticides that were cheap, affordable and available not only to pest control companies but to consumers over the counter,” he said. Having conducted a study comparing older pesticides to those used today, he found that insecticides in two families, organophosphites and carbamates, are especially effective at eradicating bedbugs.  While some of these compounds can be found in insect traps or spot treatments, most are no longer permitted for use by pest-control professionals in North America.<ref>''FAQ about Bedbugs: Pesticide bans have led to a resurgence of the dreaded pest,'' National Post, August 7, 2010</ref>

Dr. Michael Potter, a  professor and urban entomologist at the University of Kentucky, stated, “What made this problem pretty much go away for decades was the availability of very effective, long-lasting insecticides that were cheap, affordable and available not only to pest control companies but to consumers over the counter,” he said. Having conducted a study comparing older pesticides to those used today, he found that insecticides in two families, organophosphites and carbamates, are especially effective at eradicating bedbugs.  While some of these compounds can be found in insect traps or spot treatments, most are no longer permitted for use by pest-control professionals in North America.<ref>''FAQ about Bedbugs: Pesticide bans have led to a resurgence of the dreaded pest,'' National Post, August 7, 2010</ref>

With many factors possibly contributing to the exponential rise in bedbug infestations, it is difficult to know what physically is the primary caused of the current bedbug epidemic. Potter also, stated, "The bottom line is it may be a convergence of all those factors, but none of that really explains the rapid increase in recent years," said  

With many factors possibly contributing to the exponential rise in bedbug infestations, it is difficult to know what physically is the primary caused of the current bedbug epidemic. Potter also, stated, "The bottom line is it may be a convergence of all those factors, but none of that really explains the rapid increase in recent years," said  

<ref>http://waronbedbugs.blogspot.com/2007/03/tracing-cause-of-bedbug-epidemic.html</ref>

<ref>http://waronbedbugs.blogspot.com/2007/03/tracing-cause-of-bedbug-epidemic.html</ref>

==Life and behavior==

==Life and behavior==