Bed bugs seemed to have emerged as a new public health nuisance, but they were actually quite prevalent at the beginning of the twentieth century. Their presence was significantly reduced by the development and subsequent wide-spread use of DDT for pest control. When that was banned by the EPA in 1972, bed bugs were free to reestablish themselves and spread to new places and unfamiliar populations. If you’ve been taken in by the latest round of bed bug hysteria, here are some facts that can help you address any misconceptions or – even worse – an infestation.