Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Biting problem

As your report points out, the extraordinary, 1000 per cent increase in bed-bug infection is part of a global epidemic ("A biting problem in Australia," Feb. 4). But attributing it solely to the use of pesticides misses the larger picture — the contribution of global warming. Bed bugs are only one of the insect species benefiting from rising global temperatures.

The winter chill, which used to kill most of the larvae, is no longer as severe as it used to be. As a result, many more of them survive and flourish to menace human populations. We may face many more such unforeseen problems in future.

N.S. Rajaram,
Bangalore

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