Bed bugs were once a dwindling concern in the United States but have experienced a significant resurgence in recent decades. About 70 years ago, infestations were relatively rare due to effective treatments that nearly eradicated them. Before the 1950s, an estimated 30% of U.S. homes had bed bugs.
The decline was attributed to DDT use, vacuum cleaners, and simplified furniture design. However, the turn of the century marked a significant upswing due to increased international travel, secondhand furnishing exchange, reduced cockroach populations (natural predators), the DDT ban, and bed bugs developing pesticide resistance.
Key Statistic
1 in 5 Americans (roughly 20% of households) encounters bed bug problems each year. The Southeast accounts for 29% of cases, while the Northeast sees only 5%.
In This Article:
Infestation by Location
68% of reported cases
46% of infestations
28% of infestations
~60% report annually
