The most hated pest in all of history is by far the bed bug.  It has been in existence for centuries and has been documented to have been the most bothersome pest of all periods of time.

Bed bugs can be traced back to initially living in caves in the Mediterranean region where civilization began.  They initially feasted upon the blood of bats.  Once humans began using caves as dwellings, bed bugs discovered an entirely different source for their thirst for blood.  Cave dwellers moved around quite a bit, so these pests had a difficult time relying on their new food source.  Once villages and cities began erupting, bed bugs quickly established themselves as the pests that they are today.

In early times, bed bugs were dreaded pests and also little helpers to society. Some believed in the healing property of bed bugs.  Potions were made for people to drink in Egypt and the Greeks and Romans burned bed bugs to rid themselves of leeches.

With each growth of human civilization, the bed bug infestations grew.  By 1400 AD, bed bugs were reported in Asia and Europe.

Please check back on Tuesday for more information on the early history of bed bugs.