BBC WORLD SERVICE

"Meet the creatures that share your home"

Scientists have recently found 200,000 species of tiny animals, bacteria and fungi that live in our homes. Although some of these can make us ill, many have been found to be beneficial – including a microbe that creates solid gold nuggets and a cricket whose gut bacteria can break down industrial waste. Could one of your hidden housemates contain a new antibiotic, or help make biofuel?

Commissioned by CrowdScience at the BBC World Service.

Producer: Jennifer Green
Narrator: Anand Jagatia
Art, design and animation: Jules Bartl.