Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Bedbugs
Mar 13, 2019
Once thought extinct, bedbugs are back and causing chaos after the ban of DDT. The podcast delves into their creepy habits and how they easily hitch rides with travelers. It discusses effective strategies for eradication, including temperature tricks and the suffocation method. Listeners learn to spot infestations, especially in hotels, and the myths surrounding these pests. Additionally, practical advice is offered on treatment options and how to dispose of infested furniture effectively.
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DDT's Impact
- DDT effectively eliminated bed bugs in the mid-20th century.
- However, its toxicity led to its ban and the resurgence of bed bugs.
Bed Bug Myths
- Some people born after bed bugs were eradicated didn't believe they existed.
- They thought bed bugs were mythical creatures like jackalopes or snipes.
Bed Bug Resurgence
- The resurgence of bed bugs is attributed to the DDT ban and increased international travel.
- These factors facilitated their spread and made them harder to eradicate.