The study, conducted by researchers at Virginia Tech, explored the genetic history of bedbugs and found that the species split into two lineages long ago—one that stayed on bats, their original host, and another that began feeding on sleeping humans
Bedbugs have been tormenting humans for tens of thousands of years, with a new study revealing that the pests have been around since the days of cave-dwelling Homo sapiens. Scientists now say humans have lived with bedbugs for at least 50,000 years. These insects, however, didn’t explode in population until around 13,000 years ago, when people left caves behind and began forming settlements and cities.
The study, conducted by researchers at Virginia Tech, explored the genetic history of bedbugs and found that the species split into two lineages long ago—one that stayed on bats, their original host, and another that began feeding on sleeping humans. Dr. Warren Booth, the study’s lead author, explained: “Modern humans moved out of caves about 60,000 years ago. There were bedbugs living in the caves with these humans, and when they moved out they took a subset of the population with them.”
He added that the human-associated lineage of bedbugs has less genetic diversity than their bat-associated cousins, due to this migration and smaller initial numbers. The research also suggests that bedbugs’ close relationship with humans could stretch back even further than previously thought, possibly for hundreds of thousands of years.
As human societies became more complex and people began living in permanent structures in closer proximity to each other, the bedbug population boomed. Early cities and shared living spaces created perfect conditions for infestations to spread and thrive. Bedbugs, which hide in crevices during the day and feed on blood at night, have remained a persistent nuisance through centuries of human history. Though they don’t transmit disease, their bites cause discomfort, itching, and distress.
The findings shed new light on how human behavior has influenced the evolution of pests that continue to affect modern life, especially in densely populated urban areas.
By understanding the evolutionary path of bedbugs, researchers hope to improve strategies for controlling the insects today. So next time you check for bedbugs in a hotel room, remember: this age-old battle between humans and pests has been going on since the days of cave fires and stone tools.
