Bedbugs have been feeding off human civilization since the dawn of cities—and new research shows their population boom is tied directly to the rise of urban living.
At a Glance
- Bedbugs likely emerged as the first urban pest 8,000 years ago with the rise of cities
- Species evolved over 100 million years and survived the extinction of the dinosaurs
- Bedbugs adapted quickly to humans, while their bat-associated relatives declined
- Populations rebounded dramatically with human settlement and migration
- Resistance to DDT emerged just five years after its introduction, complicating eradication efforts
Bedbugs: Humanity’s Oldest Urban Companions
New findings from a multidisciplinary team of scientists confirm that bedbugs likely became the first urban pests when humans began settling in permanent cities over 8,000 years ago. As The Guardian reports, these ancient parasites rapidly multiplied as human populations concentrated in places like Çatalhöyük and Uruk. According to entomologist Dr. Warren Booth, “When we started to live in cities, we brought all these people together, and they all had their own bedbugs with them.”
This marks a significant shift from their earlier association with bats. The human-linked bedbug lineage has thrived since the Last Glacial Maximum, unlike its bat-associated counterpart, which continues to decline, as ScienceDaily explains.
Evolutionary Survivors in the Age of Skyscrapers
Bedbugs predate humanity by tens of millions of years, with fossil records suggesting an origin around 100 million years ago—meaning they outlasted the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. As researcher Lindsay Miles noted, “Initially with both populations, we saw a general decline that is consistent with the Last Glacial Maximum; the bat-associated lineage never bounced back.”
Today, these insects thrive in densely populated modern metropolises, following the very arc of human civilization. “We know that the evolutionary history of humans and bedbugs has been intertwined for a long time,” said Prof. Michael Siva-Jothy in The Guardian.
The DDT Era and Modern Resistance
The 20th-century introduction of DDT initially appeared to be a miracle solution, wiping out bedbug populations across the U.S. But within five years, the pests developed genetic resistance, illustrating how quickly they can adapt. Scientists identified a key mutation in bedbugs that makes them resilient to common insecticides—underscoring the difficulty of permanent eradication.
Today, bedbug control remains costly and complex, especially in crowded urban housing. Their ability to develop resistance has rendered many chemical solutions ineffective, and infestations are now surging in cities worldwide.
Why City Living Still Breeds Bedbugs
The correlation between urbanization and bedbug population growth isn’t just historical—it’s ongoing. Researchers believe modern cities continue to foster ideal conditions: high population density, frequent turnover in rental housing, and limited public health resources to respond swiftly.
Additionally, global migration patterns and international travel have further spread the insects. “That makes sense because modern humans moved out of caves about 60,000 years ago,” said Booth, explaining why the pests moved in tandem with their human hosts.
The findings, supported by the Joseph R. and Mary W. Wilson endowment, not only highlight the bedbug’s tenacity but also offer a sobering reminder: as long as humans cluster in cities, these resilient creatures will be close behind.
Conclusion
Bedbugs are more than just a nuisance—they are a living chronicle of urban civilization. As science uncovers the timeline of their rise alongside humanity, it’s clear that controlling these ancient pests will require not just chemistry but a deeper understanding of how our living patterns contribute to their success. Whether in Bronze Age city-states or high-rise apartments, the bedbug remains a deeply entrenched roommate—and one that’s not leaving anytime soon.
