Bed bugs--another ancient critter that bugs us

I remember hearing Mom & Dad talk about the Mississippi River flood during the 1930s that affected the Charleston—Dogwood area of Missouri.  The flood refugee families camped out at the Dogwood Methodist church.  Some of the local families took in refugee families and their hitch-hiker bed bugs.  In those days, bed bugs were a problem.  Mom & Dad remembered when the insecticide DDT was developed and eradicated bed bugs in America.  

Well, bed bugs are back.  Many speculate that bed bugs have returned to America by hitchhiking on the belongings and luggage of travelers from other countries. If you never travel or have company come stay at your home, you probably won’t need to know about bed bugs.  Everyone else should become educated on this pest.  They are not discriminating hitch hikers; they go wherever they can be transported in people’s luggage and clothing.  Bed bugs have been found in 5 star hotels so the quality and cleanliness of a hotel isn’t relevant. 

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small parasite bugs that feed on the blood of humans and animal while they sleep.  When asked whether bed bugs spread disease, the experts at CDC say probably not.  But bed bugs cause annoying, itchy bites.  Some people will not react to bed bug bites; other people will deal with severe anaphylactic (allergic) reactions which could be life threatening to those people. Next time I will discuss identifying and treating for bed bugs.