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Despite several years in the pest world’s limelight, there are still myriad public misconceptions about the bed bug. Five of the most prevalent myths according to Scientific American are:
- Bed bugs can fly. They lack wings. End of story.
- Bed bugs live exclusively in mattresses. If only.
- Bed bugs transmit disease. Despite harboring human pathogens, there still are no reported cases of bed bugs transmitting disease.
- We should bring back DDT. When it was banned in 1972, bed bugs had already become impressively resistant to it. And … it’s DDT.
- You can spray bed bugs away (with consumer products). Just spray and — tah-dah! Not likely.
