Native Americans didn’t have to deal with bed bugs. Like so many other noxious problems, colonists brought the annoying little critters with them when they sailed to America. It’s unknown when the first bed bug bit, but humans have been sharing beds with Comex Lectularius (the common bed bug) for centuries.

With no effective means of control back then, the prolific insects spread wherever humans gathered, becoming part of the pattern of daily life. The phrase, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite,” hearkens back to colonial days and represented more wishful thinking than reality. In those days bed bugs were everywhere and it was the rare bed that didn’t house a crop of the ravenous buggers. As people spread across the world, so did bed bugs. Sailors, missionaries and colonists took them along to the far corners of the world where they settled in to stay.

Hardy little devils, bed bugs can survive equally well in both cold and hot climates and can live for up to a year without feeding. An adult female can lay up to 12 eggs a day and lives for 12 to 18 months — that’s a lot of little mouths to feed! One bed bug in your bed multiplies exponentially until you have a serious infestation. Eggs hatch in 6 to 17 days with nymphs becoming mature adults in 21 to 120 days, depending on food supply. New adults lay more eggs, more nymphs hatch, everyone is hungry, and you become the blue plate special! You get the picture, no sleep, just itchy nightmares.

If you’re unfortunate enough to be playing host to bed bugs, call Stern Environmental Group. We are the bed bug experts and will get rid of your bed bugs — guaranteed! Click the post title for more information on the pesky bugs and our eradication services. Visit our website to learn about our full range of pest control and pest management services. You’ll sleep well tonight when you get “Stern” with your pests.