Pests getting worse?
By xParanoiax
@xParanoiax (6987)
United States
September 11, 2008 10:23pm CST
According to Treehugger.com (and they got the subject from a mainstream news station, MSNBC) some bugs are beginning to become resistant to pesticides and in general harder to kill. The pest they were specifically focusing on, was lice.
But a commentor on the article mentioned fleas as well -- and it seems like it's been hard to get rid of fleas with my family's pests lately, when it used to be fairly easy to get rid of them.
So do you think this is true? They say it's both under and over reported depending on the country. Any firsthand experiences to share?
2 people like this
3 responses
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
14 Sep 08
Yes, it really makes sense. The results of all those pesticides were certain to take many years to be seen but were sure to come.
In our haste to make everything sterilized and bug/germ/pests free we are unfortunately creating more of a mess. Pests are becoming resistant to what used to kill them. Bacteria is becoming resistant to antibiotics. With time everything will be resistant to everything....
I don't know.. but if I look back in history, it seems to me that we're really going towards a big problem.
I have no first hand experience to share but I have heard the same thing about fleas from a friend of mine that has a few cats.
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
14 Sep 08
It seems like our species is constantly creating problems for ourselves...I suppose it's a good case to be glad that so many people have striven toward naturalist lifestyles -- though I know a ton more bought the paranoia about diseases, sickness, germs, and insects. "Ahhh!!! Can't have even one near me!!!"...as if it'd hurt you in the long run of things and be much more than annoying.
Hopefully this isn't like plague-level problem and just...a new level of bug problem that we all have to figure out new ways to deal with. So far, what I hear is that some of the old fashioned remedies still work, and a few new (non-chemicle ones so far) solutions as well, but even some of the old fashioned remedies don't seem to be working as well as usual.
Looks like the earth's decided to follow trends and change along with the rest of the world...more learning ahead I guess. It's sad so many lessons are learned after hardship we sometimes helped create, huh?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 08
I'm not really surprised that in general many bugs are becoming resistant to our "chemical" wonders. Look at the anti-bacterial craze..we have anti-bacterial soaps, detergents, lotions..and we've only succeeded in many stronger forms and strains of bacteria..many of our antibiotics no longer work as the bacterial or viral infections have mutated into stronger strains of them. Who knows? Maybe if we had kept to more old-fashioned ways of dealing with any of our problems, that is more natural methods we wouldn't have in effect created bugs that are resistant to the chemicals we are using or bacteria/viruses resistant to the medications or products designed to destroy bacterias in our homes
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
12 Sep 08
I wouldn't doubt it, Pyewacket. I always thought 'if it's not broke don't fix it' was pretty wise, and maybe this will just be proof that it is, heh.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
12 Sep 08
I heard a report tonight on the news that head lice are a real problem too. Some of the schools are reporting that the number of kids getting them is up and the Dr are saying that the usual treatment isn't working very good. So families are trying home remedies, things like mayonnaise oils seem to be working because it smoothers them. I had head lice just once and I never want to have them again.
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
12 Sep 08
I had them once too...I don't think anyone who's ever had them ever want them again. *shudders*
Thanks for responding!
