Early History of Bed Bugs in America
Bed bugs were first introduced into the Americas by the early colonists. Colonial writings of the early 18th century documented severe bed bug problems in the English colonies and in Canada, but not in Indian villages. Old sailing ships were notoriously infested with bed bugs, some so much so that some ships forbade passengers and colonists from bringing bedding on board.
- During the early 20th century, it was a rare American indeed who had never been bitten or at least seen a bed bug.
- Bed bugs were rated among the top three pests in and around structures.
- Surveys showed that as many as 1/3 of all residences were infested in some cities.
- In lower income areas, virtually all residences had bed bugs at one time or another.
- In these areas, bed bugs were "public enemy" number one.
- Then a surprising thing happened. Bed bugs disappeared; at least in developed countries.
- By the 1950's, American entomologists (insect specialists) were hard put to find live bed bugs for laboratory work.
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What happened? |
Some Facts about DDT:
DDT was sprayed or dusted on and around the bed, and control of bed bugs would last for a year or more.
- Originally synthesized in 1874 but its insecticidal properties were not discovered until 1939
- Used with great effect, to combat mosquitoes spreading malaria , typhus , and other insect -borne diseases among both military and civilian populations in the early years of
- Paul Muller – 1948 Nobel Prize winner
- After the war, DDT was made available for use as an agricultural insecticide, and soon its production and use skyrocketed
- 1962 -Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was published
- 1972 –banned in the US and subsequently worldwide
