Believe it or not, bed bug infestations are a problem in every country in the world and have been for a long time.
During the turn of the 20th century, the expression “Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite” originated because bed bugs were truly a big problem. In the early 1900s, Americans were consumed with many more pressing problems than bugs in their beds. With low living standards and the desire to simply survive, bed bugs were able to live and thrive.
For a variety of reasons, bed bugs got back on the map as a real problem in the late 1990s. This problem continued to worsen through the turn of the millennium. The amount of cases has grown exponentially and, to this day, continues to grow at a remarkable pace.
Reasons why bed bugs are spreading now more than ever:
- Lack of education and public awareness about the signs and existence of bed bugs in society
- A significant increase in travel to various infested countries and bringing bed bugs back into the U.S.
- Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can readily attach themselves to and stay on a traveler’s luggage
- The pest control industry has moved to a more environmentally conscious approach, minimizing the amount of routine spraying which can be an effective method of controlling bed bugs and preventing their infestation.