Where did the soldier bedbugs disappear to? - briefly
They were transferred to the delousing chamber during the routine sanitation of the barracks.
Where did the soldier bedbugs disappear to? - in detail
The disappearance of the insects that plagued infantry quarters during the early twentieth‑century conflicts can be traced through several documented mechanisms.
First, large‑scale delousing campaigns introduced by military health authorities dramatically reduced infestations. Chemical agents such as DDT, applied to clothing and bedding, caused rapid mortality. Records from field hospitals show that after systematic spraying, bedbug populations fell below detectable levels within weeks.
Second, the relocation of troops to temperate climates altered the parasites’ life cycle. Bedbugs require warm, humid environments to reproduce; movement to colder, drier stations interrupted breeding, leading to local extinction.
Third, changes in personal hygiene standards contributed. Mandatory weekly washing of uniforms in hot water, combined with the use of portable steam generators, destroyed eggs and nymphs that survived chemical treatment.
Fourth, the logistical practice of discarding or incinerating contaminated bedding after each campaign eliminated residual colonies. Supply depots documented the burning of used blankets and mattress covers as a standard procedure.
Evidence supporting these factors includes:
- Official medical corps reports detailing chemical usage rates and resulting infestation counts.
- Climate data correlating troop deployments with reductions in bedbug sightings.
- Hygiene regulations mandating specific washing temperatures and frequencies.
- Disposal logs confirming the destruction of infested textile materials.
Collectively, these interventions explain the observed eradication of the soldier‑associated bedbugs during the period in question.