During World War II, many governments used DDT to exterminate parasites in troops. DDT was effective against malaria-spreading mosquitoes, lice that transmitted typhus, and several species of arthropods. After the war, DDT was used as an agricultural insecticide but was banned in the US in 1972 due to its toxic nature. Its use continues in limited use to control the spread of disease.
DDT was also effective in controlling bed bugs. Once the most common parasite in the world, bedbugs were eradicated in America and many developed nations thanks to the toxic nature of DDT. However bedbugs survived in third world countries and are making their way back to developed nations due to increased world travel, immigration, and pesticide resistance. Many cities are discovering outbreaks of bedbugs, and bedbugs are now found in some of the finest hotels in the world. As well as hotels, they are often found in places with high turnover, such as dorms, barracks and apartments. College kids frequently bring them home for the holidays.
Bedbugs are wingless creatures that feed on human, poultry, and bat blood. They are approximately ¼ inch and are often mistaken for ticks. The bite is painless but results in small bumps that may itch. The bites are often lined up in a row known as the breakfast, lunch, dinner sign. They can be written off as other insect bites or a skin condition. There are no diseases associated with bedbug, and unless an allergic reaction occurs there is no need to seek treatment.
Infestations can be difficult to spot. Since they hide during the day, come out to feed at night, and can go for months without feeding, they may go unnoticed until they start feeding. During daylight hours look for their molted exoskeletons and small, black excrement. Bedbugs can hide in very small spaces in the home, and are very fond of mattresses. Excess clutter also makes great hiding spots for bedbugs.
Like all parasites, bedbug infestation can be difficult to control. Over the counter bug sprays are not effective and experts may need to be called in. CleanAir Treatments LLC out of Michigan recommends ozone as a green treatment for bedbugs. According to their website at http://cleanairtreatments.com/index.html, ozone is safer, more effective and faster than conventional disinfectants. Also known as activated oxygen, ozone is also effective against toxic mold, mildew and viruses without leaving behind a dangerous chemical residue.
Source: http://www.examiner.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Who Is Right Or Wrong About Bed Bugs
Let bedbug episode teach mom to go easier on daughter-in-law
Dear Carolyn:
Both of our sons came home for Thanksgiving with their families. We put up our older son and his family in a hotel and had our younger son, his new (second) wife and their 5-month-old baby stay in our basement guest room.
How I wish I had switched! On Friday morning, the new wife said she had bug bites. I said that twice in the past I had bites also and thought they were from bedbugs. We had done some Internet searching and gone to my dermatologist and discovered bedbugs are not medically dangerous and not the result of uncleanliness. We gave her hydrocortisone and sympathized with her.
That evening, they moved into the hotel. Our son said his wife was absolutely adamant that they get out of our home as soon as possible. She has the reputation of being a "strong" woman, and she earns a very high income, so she is able always to get her way.
My husband and I felt embarrassed and disappointed that she reacted that way, but we are aware that a first-time, 45-year-old mother probably had mother-bear hormones at play, and we don't blame our son too much for giving in to her demands.
But what did that accomplish? She washed everything they brought in hot water, as did I with everything downstairs. My husband thinks she threw away their suitcases. We will buy plastic cases for the bed, but what else can we do?
Our relationship with her is significantly impaired, and she wants me to tell her she did the right thing. I think she overreacted. Should I just chalk this up to normal in-law conflict and expect time to heal the wounds, or does this portend more trouble down the road?
Find out what Carolyn has to say at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011404092.html
Dear Carolyn:
Both of our sons came home for Thanksgiving with their families. We put up our older son and his family in a hotel and had our younger son, his new (second) wife and their 5-month-old baby stay in our basement guest room.
How I wish I had switched! On Friday morning, the new wife said she had bug bites. I said that twice in the past I had bites also and thought they were from bedbugs. We had done some Internet searching and gone to my dermatologist and discovered bedbugs are not medically dangerous and not the result of uncleanliness. We gave her hydrocortisone and sympathized with her.
That evening, they moved into the hotel. Our son said his wife was absolutely adamant that they get out of our home as soon as possible. She has the reputation of being a "strong" woman, and she earns a very high income, so she is able always to get her way.
My husband and I felt embarrassed and disappointed that she reacted that way, but we are aware that a first-time, 45-year-old mother probably had mother-bear hormones at play, and we don't blame our son too much for giving in to her demands.
But what did that accomplish? She washed everything they brought in hot water, as did I with everything downstairs. My husband thinks she threw away their suitcases. We will buy plastic cases for the bed, but what else can we do?
Our relationship with her is significantly impaired, and she wants me to tell her she did the right thing. I think she overreacted. Should I just chalk this up to normal in-law conflict and expect time to heal the wounds, or does this portend more trouble down the road?
Find out what Carolyn has to say at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011404092.html
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