In brief
Experts find that these famous pests have thrived in urban settings for thousands of years, showcasing a unique relationship with humans.
Throughout history, bedbugs have developed a close-knit relationship with humans that’s hard to ignore. According to a study published in the journal *Biology Letters*, these notorious pests split from feeding on bats to making humans their prime target around 245,000 years ago. Initially, it was when early humans took refuge in caves and shared space with bats that the bedbugs made a significant shift from one host to another.Interestingly, Warren Booth, a professor from Virginia Tech, highlights that bedbugs rely entirely on humans for survival, stating, “You’re not going to find a bedbug in your garden.” After a period of decline during nomadic times, their population boomed when societies began to establish cities about 13,000 years ago. Despite their creepy reputation, bedbugs do not carry diseases and only cause minor discomfort when they bite. Today, they remain a unique testament to the bond we share with the natural world—even if it's not a love story we all admire!
