Bed bugs have been our uninvited roommates for thousands of years—but new research suggests they’ve been with us far longer than most pests, possibly making them the first true urban pest.
According to a study published in Biology Letters, bed bugs originally fed on bats in caves. But around 60,000 years ago, when early humans began inhabiting those same caves, bed bugs made the switch—and they’ve stuck with us ever since.
Ancient Cities Gave Bed Bugs a Boost
While early human life was often mobile and dispersed, things changed dramatically about 8,000 years ago. Civilizations began building permanent settlements—crowded cities like Çatalhöyük and Uruk, which are among the oldest known urban centers.
These new cities created the perfect conditions for bed bugs to thrive: close quarters, warmth, and a constant supply of sleeping humans. Scientists say this transition sparked a massive explosion in human-associated bed bug populations, while their bat-feeding relatives began to decline.
In other words, when humans built the first cities, bed bugs became city dwellers too.
The First True Urban Pest?
Researchers now argue that bed bugs may deserve the title of “first urban pest”—long before rats, fleas, or cockroaches earned that role. While lice and other parasites were present in prehistoric times, bed bugs appear to be the first pest species that truly benefited from urbanization.
Dr. Warren Booth, an urban entomologist at Virginia Tech, explained it this way: “As civilization expanded, bed bugs expanded with us.” That’s a creepy kind of coevolution—but one that helps us understand just how deeply embedded these pests are in human history.
Why This Still Matters Today
While we’ve moved from mud-brick homes to high-rise apartments, bed bugs haven’t gone anywhere. In fact, modern city living—combined with global travel—has brought about a resurgence of infestations in recent decades. From luxury hotels to college dorms to family homes, bed bugs remain as persistent and annoying as ever.
And just like our ancient ancestors, we need solutions that actually work.
Fight Back with Premo Guard
At Premo Guard, we understand that history doesn’t have to repeat itself. Our Bed Bug & Mite Killer Spray uses an all-natural, non-toxic formula that’s safe for your family, pets, and plants—while being lethal to bed bugs on contact.
✅ Made with plant-based ingredients
✅ Kills bed bugs at all life stages
✅ No harsh fumes, no staining
✅ Trusted by families, travelers, and pest control pros
Unlike traditional chemical pesticides, which bed bugs have increasingly developed resistance to, Premo Guard offers a modern solution that outsmarts them at every stage. Our formula works by attacking the bed bug’s outer shell, causing them to dehydrate and die—a physical mode of action that bed bugs cannot adapt to or build resistance against. That means even if you're dealing with pesticide-resistant strains, Premo Guard still works effectively. It’s fast, safe, and lethal—without relying on harsh chemicals or synthetic toxins.
Whether you’re traveling, moving into a new apartment, or dealing with an active infestation, Premo Guard gives you the modern tools to win the battle.
