# Blood-Sucking Infestations EPA Bedbug Summit to Take the Bite Out of Sleeping By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-04-15 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unwelcome-biting-insect-bed-bug-companions-epa-bedbug-summit References: [abcnews.go](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AllergiesNews/wireStory?id=7330990) & [insects.about](http://insects.about.com/od/insectpests/f/bedbugsareback.htm) Complaints about bedbugs are on the rise, even in high-end lodging establishments. In response to widespread frustration, the [Environmental Protection Agency](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mozzi-magic-insect-repellent) hosted its first-ever bedbug summit. Bedbugs, *cimex lectularius*, a reddish-brown, oval-shaped wingless insect, grow to about a quarter of an inch long and live by sucking blood. They especially like human blood. Broad-spectrum pesticides like DDT, which killed a wide variety of bug types, nearly eradicated the insects after WWII, but health and environmental concerns caused the pesticides to be abandoned. Bedbugs have not posed much of a concern in the recent past, the [targeted methods of pest control](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-pest-control-product) we now use have not addressed them. That’s about to change. A bill called the, *Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite Act*, will be introduced to provide funding to public programs that deal with the insects. While the [bites can be unsightly and painful](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-bite-relief), bedbugs are not known to carry any diseases. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Rising Bedbug Infestations:** Opportunity for innovative pest control methods that specifically target bedbugs. - **Environmental-friendly Pest Control Solutions:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in developing non-toxic, sustainable alternatives to eradicate bedbugs. - **Increased Funding for Bedbug Programs:** Opportunity for businesses to offer effective products and services that align with public programs addressing bedbug infestations. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Pest Control Industry:** Opportunity for pest control companies to develop and market specialized bedbug control solutions. - **Hospitality Industry:** Opportunity for hotels and lodging establishments to adopt innovative bedbug prevention strategies to maintain customer satisfaction. - **Public Health Sector:** Opportunity for public health organizations to invest in research and education on bedbug prevention and control methods. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Multifunctional Pest Control Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sniper-hotshot-multipurpose-insect-killer.md) - [Hospitality Pest Management Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orkin-integrated-pest-management.md) - [Tick Testing Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bug-bite-thing.md) - [Mosquito Safety Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mosquito-joe.md) - [Pet-Friendly Insect Sprays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pest-control-spray.md) - [Odorless Insect Repellents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mosquito-tick-repellent.md) - [Edible Insect Lollipops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pest-infested-pops.md) - [Scientific Insect-Repelling Oils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-bug-blend.md) - [Convenient Insect Bite Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-bite-kit.md)