Bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects that are nocturnal, typically hiding during the day. Adult bed bugs are reddish brown and reach 5mm to 7mm in length, whereas juvenile bed bugs are almost transparent and approximately 1.5mm long. Bed bugs lay one to five eggs per day. The incubation period of the eggs is approximately 10 days. Bed bugs feed on human and animal blood. While eating, they inject a salivary secretion into the wound to prevent coagulation. Many people are allergic to the salivary secretion, which can cause a person's skin to become swollen and itchy.
Changes in Pest Control Practices
According to the Mayo Clinic, bed bugs nearly vanished from the developed countries after World War II because of the use of a pesticide named DDT. This pesticide was later banned when studies showed that it was highly toxic to the environment and humans alike. Since then, pest companies have been using much more gentle pesticides that seem to be ineffective against bed bugs. Over the years, bed bugs have also built up a resistance to many pesticides. Moreover, since bed bugs have been so rare in developed countries, many people do not recognize them and this allows the infestation to grow for a long time before it is finally noticed.
Home Environment
Unlike many people think, dirt does not cause bed bugs. These insects, however, thrive in a home that has plenty of hiding places. That is why they are attracted to cluttered homes. Since they typically travel by hitchhiking, bed bug infestations are common in places where many people move around, such as hotels, hospitals or apartment complexes. Also, bed bugs can be brought into homes in secondhand items and used furniture.
Increased International Travel
Although until recently, bed bugs were rarely seen in developed countries, they have always been quite common in developing countries. Increase in international travel might be one of the reasons why bed bugs have become so common during recent years. Since bed bugs are so small, they are difficult to detect and can easily be brought back home in a suitcase, for example.
