DDT is a synthetic pesticide mass-produced in the 1940s and found to kill mosquitos, bedbugs and other insects. DDT was found to be seriously harmful to people and was eventually banned in the United States, then worldwide, though it continued to be used in Africa to reduce malaria outbreaks.
Early Effects
Worldofbedbugs.com says that DDT lowered the occurrence of bedbugs in the 1940s and '50s. However, the pesticide was too harmful to continue to use. The product was banned in the United States in 1972, according to Bedbugfindersllc.com
Developed Immunity
Awitness.org states, in reference to a BBC article, that DDT is useless in killing bedbugs. Bedbugs developed immunity to DDT in the 1940s and it now only acts as an 'upper' for the insect, which causes it to attack more, rather than killing it.
Results Specific to Africa
According to Fightingmalaria.org, on the use of DDT to eradicate malaria in Africa, bedbugs were not killed by DDT, they were only irritated by it, which caused them to bite humans more frequently, further confirming that DDT no longer has an effect on bedbugs. However, there is no evidence that the recent rash of bedbug infestations in the U.S. would be affected the same way. Their immunities may have evolved differently.
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