Bedbugs have been interrupting human sleep for more than 50,000 years, but it wasn’t until humans formed cities that their populations boomed. According to a new study published in Biology Letters, bedbugs split into two lineages thousands of years ago – one targeting bats and the other humans.
The research found that both populations declined by the Ice Age, with the bat-associated lineage never recovering. However, urban bedbugs thrived as human settlements expanded into cities, making them one of the first human pests.
“This makes sense because modern humans moved out of caves about 60,000 years ago,” said Warren Booth, an expert in urban entomology. “When they moved out, a subset of the population came with them, reducing genetic diversity in the human-associated lineage.”
The discovery sheds light on the origins of bedbugs as human pests. In the past, bedbug infestations were thought to be eradicated by DDT, but populations began reappearing and evolving resistance within five years.
In recent years, bedbug infestations have seen a significant jump – 35% between 2022 and 2024 – while cockroach removal visits rose by 13%. The study highlights the need for ongoing research into bedbug management and control.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/bed-bugs-uk-caves-spread-bite-b2759988.html