A new study suggests bed bugs, while surviving the dinosaur extinction, experienced a population boom coinciding with the rise of human cities. Genetic analysis of bed bugs from the Czech Republic reveals a decline around 45,000 years ago, followed by a dramatic increase roughly 8,000 years ago, mirroring the development of urban settlements. Researchers propose that the close proximity of humans in cities facilitated the spread and proliferation of bed bugs, making them a prime candidate for the first urban pest insect. However, some experts question the study's scope due to its limited sample size.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.