Scientists have found where bugs most like to live in houses. A rich diversity of insects and creepy-crawlies share our homes. They all have different tastes regarding accommodation. Researchers from US and Danish universities studied factors in 50 houses to find out why bugs chose where they lived. The largest number of bugs live in ground-level, carpeted rooms with many windows. Lead author Dr Misha Leong said: "We are just beginning to realize and study how the home we create for ourselves also builds a complex, indoor habitat for bugs and other life."
Every room in a house offered different ecological environments for bugs. Booklice, fruit flies and ladybugs liked living rooms. Spiders, ants, centipedes and beetles preferred darker, damper places like basements. There are benefits of sharing our homes with bugs. Many bugs are essential for ensuring the microbes we need to stay healthy are present in our homes. They also play an important part in cleaning up the waste we create. Dr Leong said: "We're hoping to better understand this age-old coexistence, and how it may impact our physical and mental well-being."