After being wiped out in the US for nearly 50 years, bed bugs have returned in force. They can once again be found in all 50 states. Complaints about the obnoxious bugs have increased 50-fold in the past 5 years, says the National Pest Management Association. Bed bugs have been gone from the US for so long — wiped out by liberal doses of DDT after World War II — that many entomologists are getting their first look at live specimens of the nasty insect.

So after such a long absence from the US, why are bed bugs back? The ease and volume of international travel is to blame, say experts. Bed bugs are still a scourge in most parts of the world, including Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The little buggers stow away in luggage, on clothing, in the crevices of furniture, even in boxes and paper bags from infected sites. They’re easily transported and spread, often by unwitting carriers who don’t know they’re along for the ride.

Bed bugs are tiny, can go without food for long periods of time, and can survive in extreme temperatures, making them unbelievably hardy. With the banning of DDT and other powerful pesticides that endanger the environment and threaten health, the little critters are difficult to kill. Professional pest control services are almost always necessary to get rid of bed bugs.

Bringing back DDT isn’t an option. The lingering effects of such powerful poisons in our environment still present pollution problems. The recent pet food poisoning scare brings the point home. With professional application by skilled and experienced pest management experts, safe, modern chemicals can be used to get rid of bed bugs. If you think you have bed bugs in your home or business, call the bed bug experts at Stern Environmental Group today. Visit our website for more information on bed bugs and our pest control services. You’ll sleep well tonight when you get “Stern” with your pests.