Why have BB's not over-run the world? « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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Why have BB's not over-run the world?

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bedwarrior

newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 34

Posted 3 weeks ago
Mon Oct 26 2009 9:21:32
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Warning: soapbox thoughtpiece without any useful information on BB control...

Maybe I asked this on another thread before but here I go again- judging by this forum, once we detect a BB or two, the slightest BB sneaking by our multi-layered defenses, bubble-boy / -girl lifestyles etc. dooms us to eternal infestation, and massive measures are needed to be sustained for months even after there is not a single bite, BB, exoskeleton, or feces sighting. All well and good.... and as the non-reactor in a couple with a hyper-reactive wife whose distress breaks my heart, I understand, even if not share, the degree of paranoia, and certainly want to be rid of this nightmare and the endless logistics- even though I know that many lifestyle changes- eg far less clutter and containing clutter within sealed containers, should become permanent.

My question is: if a single BB or egg or two sneaking by all these defenses puts us back at square one, then why have BB's not completely over-run the earth- or at the very least the mobile, industrialized world where they are now not uncommon? The vast majority (including pretty much all of us prior to getting BB's and enbding up at this forum) of the population is not just 99% but 100% ignorant of the extent of BB threat, viewing them at worst as a pest easily eradicated with a few puffs of insecticide. We all know better, but in spite of the overwhelming popular ignorance, they have not over-run the industrial world, or even come close. Sure, the majority of the population may, like me, be non-reactors, but a decent minority of you are strong reactors and yet you don't see, say, airline crews and road-warriors, much less office and apartment complex residents, laced with bites - and if they were there would not be such ignorance at large re. BB's.

Thus, there is a basic contradiction afoot, to my mind. I am not denying these little SOBs are hardy as h*ll and difficult to eradicate- but it just seems to me that they are not as nearly as infective as we make them out to be either. I am not suggesting we ever relax, but I am trying to understand how they have not over-run the world. (Granted, I know some of you in NYC swear they have over-run your city- but judging by the news they are still very much a page 19 sort of story). The reasons why they haven't can defintiely not be luck- rather, they have powerful limits that we can exploit. My own theory is that once you have isolated their environments and disrupted their colonizing/egglaying/breeding, and provided that you do keep up the measures for some months, that the residual BB's and eggs that remain will gradually whither away to zero in due course. Again, I am not suggesting loss of vigilance, but simply that the occasional BB or bite thereafter (provided not daily) is no longer cause for alarm, just cause for continuing the preventive measures until they are totally eradicated.
NewBlood

newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 47

Posted 3 weeks ago
Tue Oct 27 2009 15:26:17
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Hey Bedwarrior,

This is a very interesting post you made. I suppose they haven't 'taken over' due to how they travel. Not everyone is visiting infested persons - and if they do they (odds are) aren't spending the night, leaving clothing lying about to be walked on by the insects, or leaving odds and ends (luggage) around either. Even if they do - I would imagine that just because you leave your suitcase on the ground doesn't guarantee that the bugs will say "HEY LOOK! Here's a chance to get other people!!" and swarm over it eagerly. They just... do what they do and if they happen across the items in question they may or may not decide to stay in it, or lay eggs on it, or whatnot. Remember - they're not looking to spread to others on purpose - they do so by accident. (Although it would bring up an interesting point that since so many of us are unaware of them until AFTER we get them that they would spread more easily - due to our lack of anticipation).

Also - the bugs would have to survive the trip back to wherever it is they came from. Hitching a ride on someones clothes - maybe they then climb off outside on the way to the car and perish? Maybe they make it to the car on a summer day and die when the heat becomes too extreme for them. Perhaps they get to a house and pick the wrong place to stay and are devoured by other bugs (centipedes, spiders, etc). Just one or two bugs (or even an egg or so) may not be enough to successfully spread the infestation.

It's interesting to remember - but something that keeps me calm - is that these are, at the end of the day, just 'bugs'. They're not overly intelligent, just tricky to find. They're not out to get you and make your life as miserable as possible they're... just doing what they do to live. It just so happens to make us angry at them. They can't really help what they are.

As for the vocal few (why don't we see people warning others on the street about it) - I think that people refuse to believe (or maybe can't believe) the extent of the battle that rages once you have acquired these insects - how much of your life will be altered in the up coming months (bagged items, throwing things out) and years (mental battle with them to avoid spreading them - because WE know what it is like to have them). Everyone at work thinks I'm kinda crazy because it's all I talk about now - but I'm sure if any of them got them they'd then fully understand what one goes through during the fight -> how much time, effort and funds go into fighting them off. It's why I hope no one I know gets them - the workplace, and home is crazy enough with just me being out of my mind. :)

It makes sense if you think about it though. Termites? Spray them dead. Cockroaches? Spray them dead. Hornet nest? Spray them dead. Bed bugs? Bag all your items, wash all your clothes, throw away clutter and furniture, pay 1-3k for treatment, fumigate the car, ward people away, live out of plastic for months?! It is such a drastic change from the norm! I wish at times DDT was back because then... we'd spray them dead. :)