Bed bugs may have been the first big pest in human cities

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-05-28 09:01

International

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Humans were likely battling bed bugs long before other urban pests came on the scene, according to international researchers. The team analysed the genetic profile of bed bugs that feed on humans and bed bugs that feed on bats to estimate major population changes over time. They say their data suggests bed bugs that feed on humans saw an explosion in numbers around 13,000 years ago, which coincides with the rise of early human civilisations living in cities. Previous research shows the relationship between humans and other common urban pests, including cockroaches and rats, began much later, the researchers say.

Media release

From: The Royal Society

Bug City Life– Bed bugs may have been the first urban pest insect. Whole genome analysis reveals bed bug populations rose dramatically around 13,000 years ago, the same time modern humans moved into the first cities. In contrast, other common pest species such as cockroaches and rats only formed relationships with humans within the last 5,000 years. The study highlights how pests evolve along with urban expansion. Biology Letters

Were bed bugs the first urban pest insect? Genome-wide patterns of bed bug demography mirror global human expansion

Biology Letters

Calls for deeper research into the historical relationships between humans and their commensals could transform our understanding of pest and disease spread in urban settings. A recent study, using whole genome analysis of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), reveals that the species' connection to humans may date back hundreds of thousands of years. Notably, a significant demographic shift occurred around 13,000 years ago, coinciding with the rise of early human civilizations. These findings suggest bed bugs may be the first true urban pest species, highlighting the critical role of urban expansion in pest evolution.

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Journal/
conference: Biology Letters

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA

Funder: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology (DEB-1754394), State Research Project VA-137474 and The Joseph R. and Mary W. Wilson Urban Entomology Endowment to WB. Additional funding came from a National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (DEB-1401747) to TAC and DCC.

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