Changes

Bedbugs have been plaguing humans since ancient times. They are mentioned in medieval European texts and in classical Greek writings back to the time of Aristotle. Use of the pesticide DDT in the 1950s resulted in the virtual disappearance of bedbugs virtually disappearing in the United States. Some state laws once required that the furniture be tagged as fumigated before it could be resold. But an increase increases in immigration, and in population density and clutter, increased travel, resistance the development of strains that are resistant to insecticides, and changing pest control products and methods,, has have resulted in Bedbugs bedbugs making a comeback.

The University of [[Kentucky]], which has provided much research on bedbugs, reported that 95% of 521 U.S. pest management companies reported encountering a bedbug infestation in the past year. <ref>Potter MF, et al. ''Bugs Without Borders—Executive Summary'', Fairfax, VA:National Pest Management Association, Inc. (2010)</ref>. <ref>http://www.npmapestworld.org/documents/bbsurveyexecsummaryjuly26.pdf</ref> Canada reported similar numbers (98%), as well as Europe (92%), and Africa/Middle East (90%). In contrast, prior to the year 2000 only 25% of U.S. survey respondents reported bedbug infestations.<ref>[http://www.pestworld.org/bedbug National Pest Management Association (NPMA), July 26, 2010]</ref> Inb the United States, state and local government officials say they are being overwhelmed with complaints of bedbug infestations.