Probing Question: Why are bed bugs on the rise?
From the headlines, you might think America was under attack by an army of millimeter-sized parasites. Media reports have bed bug "epidemics" plaguing cities from New York City to Bloomington, Ind., to Los Angeles. Similar upticks in bed bug populations have been reported in recent years, an apparent resurgence after almost 50 years of relative quiet. So what's causing these infestations? And can they really be called "epidemics"? Increased urbanization, the affordability of air travel, and the reduced use of pesticides are contributing factors, says doctoral candidate Alexis Barbarin. (more)