According to reports by NewScientist on December 8, 2011, a decade long excavation from a team of archeologists have uncovered some interesting information about how early humans fought to keep bloodsucking pests from biting them while they slept. The team has uncovered evidence from a rock shelter in South Africa near the Uthongathi River which shows how plant material was used to repel insects. The scientists found stacks of cape laurel leaves, which are known to give off insecticidal chemicals, made into beds within the cave shelter. It is clear to the archeologists that the plant material was brought into the shelter from the river area. What the researchers found interesting is that the mounds of leaves in the rock shelter, which have existed in the cave for 38,000 to 80,000 years, were burnt. This discovery suggests that early humans discovered a natural repellent to keep bloodsuckers, such as mosquitos and bat bugs/bed bugs, from biting while they were sleeping. You may read the interesting article here.
Sleeping on a bed of burnt leaves would likely not be very appealing to most people these days. People who find bed bug infestations on their mattresses or in their homes are wise to call licensed NJ Pest Control professional to kill the buggers. For expert bed bug removal services in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey, contact Allison Pest Control.
