Bedbug outbreak in Paris raises concerns ahead of the Olympics
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Now, we all know that some holiday souvenirs are better than others—a decorative mug, perhaps, or a hand-painted brooch—but bedbugs are one we’d rather leave behind.
A disturbing new report out of France has revealed that the country is facing record levels of bedbug infestations, leaving many residents and tourists concerned about the infestation making their way to other countries.
Believe it or not, these animals are travellers just like us, and contrary to their name, bedbugs are not just found in beds.
They can also be found in suitcases, furniture, clothing, and other personal items. Some even reported seeing bedbugs in Paris cinema theatres, hospitals and trains.
While poor hygiene can lead to an infestation, the biggest risk is bringing them into your home (for example, in your luggage from a holiday). And unfortunately, once they make their way in, it will be a struggle to get them out.
Research conducted by the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) revealed that 11 per cent of French households have suffered from an outbreak of bed bugs between the years 2017 and 2022.
ANSES’ research also suggested that the tourism industry is largely to blame for the surge of infestations, with French hotels and Airbnbs suffering from it, especially those with a high turnover rate.
Scott Hyslop, a Director of PEST UK, said that putting your luggage under the bed and lying down is a crucial mistake travellers often make. He said it could be an open invitation to bring the pests back home.
He advised tourists to check their luggage immediately after returning home. He explained: ‘As a prevention, the main thing we suggest is that when people get home, they wash their clothes.’
It was already an uncomfortable topic during Paris Fashion Week, which wrapped last October 3, but with the upcoming Olympics, the French government is now on a timeline to exterminate the pests.
Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire posted on social media, ‘Faced with the scourge of bedbugs, we must act!’
‘This is a public health problem where all stakeholders must be brought to the table. It is up to owners and insurers to cover the costs of getting rid of these pests,’ he added.
But what if you suspect that these critters have made their way into your home? Here are the tell-tale signs of bed bugs from a bedroom furniture expert, Nic Shacklock:
Musty Odour
Bed bugs are tiny brown insects, usually found in bed frames, mattresses, furniture and pictures near your bed—and oftentimes, you'll know when they're around due to a strong, musty odour.
'If the bedroom area has a strong, musty and unpleasant odour, this could possibly come from a bed bug's scent glands,’ Mr Shacklock explained.
While all bedrooms generally have a distinctive scent, if yours smells particularly strong, it would be worth taking a closer look and potentially calling in pest control just to be sure.
Bed Bug Shells and White Eggs
One sign of a bedbug infestation is the sight of clusters of tiny white spots.
Keep an eye out for these tiny white bedbug eggs, which are shaped like a barrel and similar in size to a grain of salt. They can also be found as single eggs.
The eggs will normally hatch within 10 days, so it’s all the more important to investigate and have an action plan to get rid of them before they hatch.
Blood-Stained Sheets
If you suspect bedbugs in your bed, it's time to search for any speckles or stains on your mattress, pillows or bedsheets that are reddish-brown in colour.
They’re a possible result of a sleeping person unknowingly crushing a bedbug on the bed.
Bites
Bug bites can be uncomfortable and especially itchy. If you notice red marks or unsightly rashes on your body, it could indicate that something may be amiss!
'The bites will often form a straight line across a part of your body, this is a hallmark bed bug trait', Mr Shacklock said.
Bedbugs may embed themselves into the fabric of your mattress or bed frame, for example, thus making them difficult to eradicate yourself. So, if you believe you’ve spotted any of the signs and been bitten, contact your local council or pest control service as soon as possible.
If these tell-tale signs are present in your home, it is time to call the experts.
'You will need professional help, there really isn't anything that will work,’ Mr Hyslop said. He emphasised that bug sprays available at local stores won’t solve the problem.
Preventive Measures
As the old saying goes, prevention is most definitely better than cure! To avoid an infestation, it’s worth avoiding secondhand furniture without investigating it beforehand, and if you’re returning from a trip, put your luggage through the washing machine immediately, as Mr Hyslop suggested.
If you suspect bedbugs, keep your house clean and inspect your environment carefully—they prefer fabric or wood over plastic and metal and often hide near where you sleep.
You can watch DW News’ report about this issue here:
Do you have other tips to avoid bedbug infestation, members? Share them in the comments below!
A disturbing new report out of France has revealed that the country is facing record levels of bedbug infestations, leaving many residents and tourists concerned about the infestation making their way to other countries.
Believe it or not, these animals are travellers just like us, and contrary to their name, bedbugs are not just found in beds.
They can also be found in suitcases, furniture, clothing, and other personal items. Some even reported seeing bedbugs in Paris cinema theatres, hospitals and trains.
Paris is currently facing record levels of bedbug infestations. Credit: U.S. Pest/Facebook
While poor hygiene can lead to an infestation, the biggest risk is bringing them into your home (for example, in your luggage from a holiday). And unfortunately, once they make their way in, it will be a struggle to get them out.
Research conducted by the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) revealed that 11 per cent of French households have suffered from an outbreak of bed bugs between the years 2017 and 2022.
ANSES’ research also suggested that the tourism industry is largely to blame for the surge of infestations, with French hotels and Airbnbs suffering from it, especially those with a high turnover rate.
Scott Hyslop, a Director of PEST UK, said that putting your luggage under the bed and lying down is a crucial mistake travellers often make. He said it could be an open invitation to bring the pests back home.
He advised tourists to check their luggage immediately after returning home. He explained: ‘As a prevention, the main thing we suggest is that when people get home, they wash their clothes.’
It was already an uncomfortable topic during Paris Fashion Week, which wrapped last October 3, but with the upcoming Olympics, the French government is now on a timeline to exterminate the pests.
Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire posted on social media, ‘Faced with the scourge of bedbugs, we must act!’
‘This is a public health problem where all stakeholders must be brought to the table. It is up to owners and insurers to cover the costs of getting rid of these pests,’ he added.
But what if you suspect that these critters have made their way into your home? Here are the tell-tale signs of bed bugs from a bedroom furniture expert, Nic Shacklock:
Musty Odour
Bed bugs are tiny brown insects, usually found in bed frames, mattresses, furniture and pictures near your bed—and oftentimes, you'll know when they're around due to a strong, musty odour.
'If the bedroom area has a strong, musty and unpleasant odour, this could possibly come from a bed bug's scent glands,’ Mr Shacklock explained.
While all bedrooms generally have a distinctive scent, if yours smells particularly strong, it would be worth taking a closer look and potentially calling in pest control just to be sure.
Bed Bug Shells and White Eggs
One sign of a bedbug infestation is the sight of clusters of tiny white spots.
Keep an eye out for these tiny white bedbug eggs, which are shaped like a barrel and similar in size to a grain of salt. They can also be found as single eggs.
The eggs will normally hatch within 10 days, so it’s all the more important to investigate and have an action plan to get rid of them before they hatch.
Blood-Stained Sheets
If you suspect bedbugs in your bed, it's time to search for any speckles or stains on your mattress, pillows or bedsheets that are reddish-brown in colour.
They’re a possible result of a sleeping person unknowingly crushing a bedbug on the bed.
Bites
Bug bites can be uncomfortable and especially itchy. If you notice red marks or unsightly rashes on your body, it could indicate that something may be amiss!
'The bites will often form a straight line across a part of your body, this is a hallmark bed bug trait', Mr Shacklock said.
Bedbugs may embed themselves into the fabric of your mattress or bed frame, for example, thus making them difficult to eradicate yourself. So, if you believe you’ve spotted any of the signs and been bitten, contact your local council or pest control service as soon as possible.
If these tell-tale signs are present in your home, it is time to call the experts.
'You will need professional help, there really isn't anything that will work,’ Mr Hyslop said. He emphasised that bug sprays available at local stores won’t solve the problem.
Preventive Measures
As the old saying goes, prevention is most definitely better than cure! To avoid an infestation, it’s worth avoiding secondhand furniture without investigating it beforehand, and if you’re returning from a trip, put your luggage through the washing machine immediately, as Mr Hyslop suggested.
If you suspect bedbugs, keep your house clean and inspect your environment carefully—they prefer fabric or wood over plastic and metal and often hide near where you sleep.
You can watch DW News’ report about this issue here:
Do you have other tips to avoid bedbug infestation, members? Share them in the comments below!
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