You’ve undoubtedly heard the old saying, “don’t let the bed bugs bite,” and it’s not just an old wives’ tale. Bed bugs are a real thing, and they’re wreaking havoc on people as you read this.
Bed bugs have been an issue for humans for thousands of years, and while some attempts to exterminate them weren’t as effective as others, even modern techniques to keep bed bugs at bay are failing.
Ancient Egyptians used ‘magic spells’ in an attempt to ward off bed bugs, so it should come as no surprise that their efforts had no impact. Fast-forward to the modern day, and humankind puts its trust in science and the toxic chemicals developed to kill pests, known as pesticides.
At one time, powerful pesticides like DDT eradicated many of the world’s bed bugs, but those powerful pesticides are no longer in use today. To make matters worse, bed bugs have evolved to withstand pesticides, developing thicker skins and immunities over time.
Today, researchers are concerned that our options are becoming limited for keeping bed bugs at bay, and that’s frightening considering the bevy of adverse side-effects they can have on your health. All we can do is hope for the next pest control breakthrough.