She was specifically interested in analysing the diversity of bugs - the variety of standard and surprising creatures living among us. (Note that diversity is different from abundance: Just because these houses had a wide assortment of bugs doesn't mean they were overrun with insects.) Related Content Weird science: why bugs are good for you Which diseases are hiding in your handbag? Houses with pets tended to have more diverse bugs, as did ones with basements. Some of our bugs may make our homes better without us noticing -- spiders that eat other pests, for example.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 03, 2016 16:00 UTC