The History of Bed Bugs in Human Society

Bed bugs might seem like a modern nuisance, but their history with humans dates back thousands of years. These blood-sucking insects have been travelling with us, feeding on us, and making their homes in our bedding long before we started spraying pesticides or sealing up our mattresses. If you think bed bugs are a sign of poor hygiene or a messy house, think again—these pests don’t care about cleanliness. They’re only interested in one thing: a warm body to feed on.

So, how did these tiny creatures manage to outlive civilisations and continue to plague us even in the age of modern technology? Let’s take a deep dive into the history of bed bugs and how they’ve evolved alongside humans.

Where did bed bugs come from?

Believe it or not, bed bugs weren’t always after human blood. They started out feeding on bats in caves, long before we even existed. But once humans started living in those same caves, bed bugs quickly switched targets. After all, humans were warm, still, and a much easier meal. This is where the long journey of bed bugs in human society began.

The first written accounts of bed bugs date back more than 3,000 years to ancient Egypt. Bed bugs are even mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman texts, where they were often blamed for a variety of ailments. Some people back then believed that these insects had healing properties—imagine that! It was believed that bed bugs could cure everything from ear infections to snake bites. Of course, that wasn’t true, but it shows just how long we’ve been dealing with these pests.

Bed bugs in ancient civilisations

By the time the Roman Empire was at its height, bed bugs had become a well-known nuisance. People in densely populated cities often complained about these critters invading their beds. Unfortunately, without modern extermination methods, there wasn’t much they could do. The wealthy tried to keep bed bugs away by sleeping in large, elevated beds with heavy curtains around them. The idea was that these bugs couldn’t crawl up into the bed, but bed bugs are persistent and, as we know today, pretty crafty.

While bed bugs were common in ancient times, they weren’t just limited to one region. They spread along trade routes, hitching rides on merchants, soldiers, and travellers as they moved across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Before you knew it, bed bugs were a global problem.

The Middle Ages: Bed bugs go mainstream

By the time the Middle Ages rolled around, bed bugs were well-established in homes and inns across Europe. Overcrowded cities, poor hygiene, and close living quarters made it easy for bed bugs to thrive. Inns and taverns, in particular, were hotspots for infestations. Imagine being a medieval traveller, exhausted from your journey, only to settle into a bed crawling with bugs. Not exactly the relaxing night’s sleep you’d expect.

Even royalty couldn’t escape. Castles may have been grand, but they were just as prone to infestations as any peasant’s hut. Bed bugs didn’t care whether you were a king or a commoner; they were happy to feast on anyone.

The Industrial Revolution: Bed bugs hit their stride

Fast forward to the 18th and 19th centuries, and bed bugs were more widespread than ever, thanks in part to the Industrial Revolution. As people flocked to cities to work in factories, overcrowded housing and poor sanitation became the norm. These conditions were perfect for bed bugs. With more people living close together, infestations could spread quickly. And with global travel and trade booming, bed bugs had more opportunities to hitch rides and invade new territories.

During this time, people tried all sorts of methods to get rid of bed bugs, some of which sound absolutely wild today. One common “solution” was to set your bed on fire. Yes, you read that right. People would actually burn their mattresses in hopes of ridding themselves of these pests. Others would douse their beds in toxic chemicals that were sometimes more harmful than the bugs themselves. Needless to say, these methods weren’t exactly effective.

The 20th century: The battle heats up

Bed bugs were a massive problem throughout the early 20th century, especially after the chaos of World War I and World War II. Soldiers returning home from war often unknowingly brought bed bugs back with them, causing infestations to spread rapidly in cities across the globe.

Then came the pesticide DDT, which seemed like a miracle cure. By the 1950s, DDT was so effective that bed bugs nearly disappeared in many parts of the world. People thought the war against bed bugs was finally over. But bed bugs are survivors, and over time, they began to build up resistance to DDT and other pesticides.

By the late 1990s, bed bugs were making a big comeback. Global travel had increased dramatically, and with it, the bugs were once again spreading across borders. They hit hotels, homes, and public spaces with a vengeance, and people quickly realised that bed bugs were not just a thing of the past.

Bed bugs today: A modern problem

If you think bed bugs are only found in rundown motels or dirty apartments, think again. Today, bed bugs are more resilient than ever. They’ve become resistant to many common pesticides, and they’re experts at hiding in even the smallest cracks and crevices. They can go months without feeding, making them extremely hard to detect and even harder to eliminate.

It’s not just homes and hotels that are affected. Bed bugs have been found in offices, movie theatres, schools, and even public transport. With so many people travelling and moving around, bed bugs are getting more opportunities to spread. They don’t discriminate—they’ll happily infest a five-star hotel just as easily as they will a budget hostel.

The ongoing fight against bed bugs

After thousands of years of battling bed bugs, one thing’s clear: these pests aren’t going anywhere. They’ve survived empires, wars, and the rise of modern technology. But that doesn’t mean we have to put up with them. If you think you’ve got a bed bug problem, it’s important to act fast. The longer you wait, the harder they are to get rid of, and trust me, you don’t want to let them multiply.

Five key takeaways about bed bugs:

✅ Bed bugs have been biting humans for over 3,000 years and originally fed on bats in caves.
✅ These pests spread through human travel and trade, hitching rides in luggage, furniture, and even clothing.
✅ Bed bugs don’t care if your home is spotless or a bit messy—they’re only after your warmth and blood.
✅ They nearly disappeared after DDT was introduced but came back with a vengeance in the 1990s due to pesticide resistance.
✅ Bed bugs can survive for months without feeding, making them particularly difficult to eliminate without professional help.

How ThermoPest can help

If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, you don’t have to suffer in silence. At ThermoPest, we understand just how frustrating and stressful bed bugs can be. But here’s the good news: our expert team specialises in bed bug heat treatments, one of the most effective methods for completely eradicating these pests.

Unlike traditional chemical treatments, heat treatment gets into every crack and crevice, ensuring that no bug survives. It’s safe, eco-friendly, and—most importantly—it works. We’ve helped countless homes and businesses get rid of bed bugs for good, and we’re here to do the same for you.

So, if you’re waking up with bites or spotting those tell-tale signs of bed bugs, don’t wait. Give us a call today, and let ThermoPest help you reclaim your home from these ancient invaders!