Bugs in Vegetables

It seems strange that we have to go through unusual measures to search for bugs in our fruits and vegetables. Some fruits/vegetables are not permitted at all, some we can only eat if an expert examined them and certified them kosher, and others I can eat if I use a thrip cloth, light box, etc. Is this something new? (Did the Rambam eat fruits and vegetables? He didn’t own a light box.) Or have some groups within the Jewish community taken this to an extreme level and these restrictions are not totally necessary?

Thank you.