Chapter 1: The Unforgiving Heat

Stepping outside, I was greeted by sweltering temperatures—44 degrees Celsius, equivalent to 111 degrees Fahrenheit. This oppressive heat was intense enough to create a shimmering haze over the mountains, rendering them almost invisible. While I've traveled extensively, I never imagined that the hottest experience I would encounter would occur in my own home in British Columbia.

Determined to feel the heat, I ventured into my garden during the peak afternoon sun. The grass crunched beneath my feet, and an eerie silence enveloped the air. My neighbors stayed inside, their blinds shut tight, while birds took refuge from the heat. Only the crows remained active, perched on fences, trying to cool themselves in the scorching sun.

As I stood there, drenched in sweat and breathing air hotter than my body, I recalled how I once used such heat as a weapon against bedbugs.

Description: In this episode of "The Bedbug Bible Gang," we delve into the persistent issue of bedbugs and explore effective strategies for pest control. Join Lanette Marquardt and David Mead as they provide insights into dealing with these resilient pests.

Bedbugs are a nuisance, both literally and figuratively. They thrive on human blood and, while they don't transmit diseases like mosquitoes, they can disrupt your sleep and sanity. When I began my pest control career, bedbugs were a rarity, nearly eradicated by the 1950s. Yet, in recent years, they made a triumphant return, and my pest control business saw a significant portion of revenue from treating these pests.

No city is free from bedbugs, and if you've never encountered them, consider yourself among the fortunate few. The chemicals that once wiped them out have been banned, forcing us to adopt new methods. One of the most effective is heat; bedbugs perish at temperatures exceeding 45 degrees, along with their chemically resistant eggs.

We started using large heaters to raise indoor temperatures, effectively turning homes into ovens to eliminate these pests. I often found myself in various bedrooms, monitoring temperature rises while waiting for the bedbugs to succumb. Little did I know, my own home would soon face a similar treatment under the relentless sun.

Chapter 2: Consequences of Our Actions

As the climate crisis deepens, we are witnessing increasingly extreme weather events. On the same day I experienced the heat, Lytton, a town just 174 kilometers away, recorded the highest temperature in Canada—49 degrees—while the town itself was engulfed in flames.

Despite hotter regions worldwide, this is unusual for our temperate rainforest. Sidewalks cracked, and the homeless suffered in their tents, as our forests became a tinderbox, awaiting ignition. Fires erupted across the province, illuminating the sky like stars, with no rain in sight to quell their fury.

We’ve all heard the warnings from experts about climate change, yet many of us choose to ignore them. We crank up our air conditioning and drive to buy unnecessary items wrapped in plastic. After all, how can one person change the trajectory of the climate? Perhaps this intense heatwave will awaken us to the reality of a broken climate, but I doubt it. Next year may be cooler, and we may forget how our homes became unbearably hot.

As we raise the thermostat to life-threatening levels, we seem to forget our role in this crisis.

Description: Join us for a festive episode of "The Bedbug Bible Gang" as Lanette Marquardt and David Mead share insights about bedbug infestations and celebrate the holiday season with practical tips for pest control.

Years ago, at a pest control conference, an expert remarked that humans resemble bedbugs in our relentless expansion. Originating from Africa, we have spread across the globe, thriving and outcompeting others. Despite our vulnerabilities, we succeed through collaboration.

Like bedbugs, we have adapted to our environments, finding comfort in our homes, regardless of cleanliness. Yet, our relationship with these pests is paradoxical—we cannot rid ourselves of them, just as we cannot escape our own destructive tendencies.

In this sweltering heat, the majestic Mount Cheam faded into an indistinct silhouette. My memories of the mountain's angel, a patch of snow that supposedly protects the valley, lingered in my mind. Legends say that if she disappears, calamities will follow. As wildfires rage and temperatures rise, the guardian of the valley appears to be withering away.

We live in unprecedented times. If we continue to turn up the heat, we may indeed lose our last protectors. All our angels may vanish, leaving us to confront the consequences of our actions.

Thank you for reading.

© Ryan Frawley 2021.

All proceeds from this article will be donated to Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers.

If you want to read more of my writings, you may check out the following article: Forget This Screen — The Real World Is Out There. You can also inspire others to experience the beauty of this lovely planet. Just click the below image and be a writer for The Environment.