Not Alone at Home: The Natural History of Our Habitat from Bacteria to Millipedes, Cockroaches, and Spiders

Considering how much time modern humans spend within four walls or in transport, American biologist Rob Dunn argues that we know strikingly little about our closest neighbors and their impact on our well-being. To remedy this oversight, Rob Dunn led a scientific team tasked with 'inventorying' the forms of life in and around our homes. It turns out to be many hundreds of thousands of species. These include vertebrates, plants, arthropods, fungi, and bacteria. Which species are dangerous to us, and which are essential? The author advocates for biodiversity and proves its necessity not only in the wild but also in our homes. How can the disappearance of a single butterfly species in a given area lead to an increase in allergic diseases? Why do Finnish Karelians suffer from allergic diseases more often than Russians? How can one get rid of black mold? Why does fighting cockroaches often only toughen them up and make them even more resilient? How do the bacteria on a baker's hands affect the taste of bread, and what are the benefits of fermented foods? Who lives in the showerhead, and should we urgently change it? The discoveries made by Dunn were revelatory for him. For the reader, they lie ahead.