The Paris bed bug infestation It not only worries Parisians, but also the rest of the French. Furthermore, given that it is one of the most touristic cities in the world, it is a concern that is gradually spreading to the rest of the globe. After all, it only takes a few hiker bugs diving into a traveler’s coat or suitcase to establish a plague in another city in the world.
Fortunately, although in some countries bed bugs can transmit conditions such as Chagas disease, this is not the case. They only cause annoying bites, but that does not stop them from being considered a public health problem.
Therefore, the French National Health Agency already has advised travelers to check their hotel beds. These have become one of the main sources of the bed bug infestation, along with public transport seats and cinemas. Now, how can we do that inspection?
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) measure about 5 or 6 millimeters long and 3 millimeters wide, so an infestation of these insects is not as easy to detect as, for example, one of cockroaches. However, there are certain warning signs that we should look out for when inspecting seats and bedding.
How to detect a bed bug infestation
Bed bugs are parasitic insects that they feed on our blood, as well as that of other animals. Their greatest activity takes place at night and they can be found in fabrics, such as bedding, sofas and curtains, as well as in floorboards and other nooks in the home.
Unlike parasitic mites such as those that cause scabies, they have a size that allows them to be detected with the naked eye. They are small, yes, but not microscopic. In addition, there are several signs that can help us identify them. These are some of them.
Look for crushed insects
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agencyone of the warning signs of a bed bug infestation is the presence of spots on the rust colorwhich correspond to bedbugs that have been crushed, for example, by lying or sitting on them.
Excrement of bed bug pests
As with many other pests, droppings are a good sign of the insect’s presence. In this case, they are very small black spotswhich can sometimes spread onto bedding, leaving a highlighter-like mark.
Keep an eye on the eggs
If it is difficult to see bed bugs, it is even more difficult to detect their eggs, which barely exceed the millimeter. However, its yellow color It may stand out on some sheets. Also pay attention if you suspect a possible bed bug infestation.
Of course, look for live bed bugs.
If you see an insect of the size mentioned above, oval, flat and hairy, moving quickly on the sheetsyou probably have one bed bug infestation. And if you don’t have it yet, it will form soon, unless you take action on the matter.
Bites do not indicate a bed bug infestation.
You may have bites, but that doesn’t necessarily indicate a bed bug infestation in your home. Contrary to what happens with lice or scabies mite, Bed bugs do not tend to live on our bodies. Lice cling to hair and the scabies mite burrows into our skin. But bed bugs just bite.
Therefore, we may have been in contact with them; but hopefully we haven’t taken them set.
Still, it’s good know how to identify bed bug bites, since there may not be a bedbug infestation at home; but, in one way or another, we have been in contact with them. They can be anywhere on the body, but especially in exposed areas of skin, such as the face, neck or extremities. They look like inflamed spots, sometimes with a darker center, that are very itchy. As a whole they can form irregular lines or clusters.
What do I do if I have a bed bug infestation?
If we arrive at a hotel and detect a bedbug infestation, the ideal thing is to leave the room and inform the reception. If it is a rental apartment, we should also contact the owner, to give us alternatives.
Now, what if we already have bedbugs at home? In that case, it is important to detect which places are infested and wash the fabrics.
These insects can live at a very wide range of temperatures, from 7ºC to 45ºC. Therefore, it is best to wash as many fabrics as possible at a very high temperature, and then dry, also with heat.
In case they are fabrics that cannot be washed, insecticides could be used. However, we must know that many bed bugs They are already resistant to these products, so if they do not disappear, we would have to consult with a pest elimination professional.
First of all, let’s not panic about the bedbug infestation in Paris. We have been living with these insects for thousands of years and, from time to time, the pests increase. It is true that globalization and resistance to insecticides are not helping anything, but there are still options to combat them. Let’s stay informed, but without fear.