Study Finds Average House Is Home To More Than 100 Bug Species

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sorry if this makes your skin crawl but a new study finds that the average house is home to more than a hundred species of bugs.

And the number of bugs in your house may have something to do with your income.

Samples were collected from 50 homes around Raleigh, N.C. Researchers used the data to determine that house size, surrounding vegetation and mean neighborhood incomes can actually predict the number of "arthropod species" (bugs) found indoors.

Those arthropods include flies, spiders beetles and ants, among other types commonly found outdoors. The findings, published in the Royal Society's August issue of "Biology Letters," helps prove that a "luxury effect," is taking place. The authors explain the phenomena means affluent communities with more outside development like parks and landscaping and other green spaces will attract more animals and bugs some of which will end up in kitchens and living rooms.

Other species that often end up inside are ones that depend on human behavior such as dust mites or ants that may be attracted to food left out.

Researchers note there is still a lot to be learned about indoor ecology and larger studies should be conducted.