Bedbug infestation in France reignites concern among travellers. Learn how to identify bed bugs, which cause skin lesions and very itchy skin
At the beginning of October, Paris it began with piles and piles of mattresses in the streets, waiting to be incinerated. The reason? A bed bug infestation, also known as bedbugs which has spread everywhere France .
Videos of insects on public transport seats, in cinemas, hotels and even at Charles de Gaulle Airport have gone viral on social media. The problem worried the authorities, since the city will host the Olympics in 2024. Other French cities, such as Lyon AND Marseillethey were also affected by the epidemic.
The infestation began at the end of September. The main reason associated with the plague was the increase in the number of tourists in the city after the pandemic. Late summer is the time when the city tends to see a higher number of bedbug-related incidents. Fashion Week Paris which occurred between September 25 and October 3, was also indicated as one of the possible causes of the epidemic.
What are bed bugs?
Bedbugs are a big problem for tourist cities because they spread quickly: they are carried through clothing and luggage. It is no coincidence that one of the places where contagion occurs are hotels, especially mattresses and bed linen.
Brown in color and flat in shape, they measure four to seven millimeters on average, so you can see them with the naked eye. You bedbugs They love dark places and therefore can hide under mattresses and upholstered seats.
The insects feed on human blood, causing small lesions on the skin, which can be very itchy and measure about a centimeter. But don’t panic: they do not transmit any type of disease.
It is important to remember that their appearance is not caused exclusively by a lack of hygiene: cleaning the environment helps keep them away, but does not guarantee a parasite-free stay. bedbugs.
Although the most recent infestation occurred in Paris , bed bugs can appear in destinations all over the world. Here are some measures you can take to avoid them and what to do in case of contamination:
1. Research the hotel very well
The first step begins long before packing your bags. When planning your trip, you must inform yourself about the hygiene and maintenance conditions of your accommodation. One piece of advice is to keep an eye on the reviews of other guests, who often report situations like this. Be careful even if the hotel is five stars: even with great precautions and hygiene on the part of the accommodation facility, bedbugs can still appear.
2. Upon arrival at the hotel, check the beds, sheets and upholstery
In addition to the presence of insects, some signs of their presence are small black dots and blood stains. Look under the mattress and behind the headboard, lift the sheets and check the corners of the mattress and other coverings. Do all this as soon as you arrive, and especially before unpacking your bags. Another tip is to avoid placing your suitcase on the bed, because insects could enter your luggage and hide in your clothes.
3. Be careful when sitting on seats in public transport, cinemas and theatres
One of bedbugs’ favorite places is upholstered seats, which are very common Paris . Therefore, when you sit down, it is important to do a little inspection to make sure there are no insects hiding there.
4. If you find bed bugs, wash clothes on high heat
Bedbugs cannot withstand high temperatures and this is the main way to exterminate them. Therefore, if you find a bedbug or have been bitten by one, take all your clothes to be washed at a laundromat, as the temperature of the dryer will kill the insects. The ideal is to do it as soon as possible, to prevent its proliferation.
5. If you get stung, avoid scratching
Bed bug bites can cause swelling and severe itching. Furthermore, insects usually do not bite in isolation, leaving numerous small lesions on the body, which may appear in a row or in small groups. If bites are found, the first step is to act against the proliferation of bed bugs: wash clothes at high temperatures. Also, avoid excessive scratching so that bites don’t become infections. Typically, the lesions disappear within a few days.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
