What are bedbugs?
Bedbugs are small insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals as they sleep. They're reddish-brown and don't have wings. They can be found near sleeping places. It is very tough to get rid of bedbugs.
Bedbugs don't make one sick, but their bites can itch and make it hard to sleep. Bedbugs are typically carried from location to location as people travel. Recently, Paris has been facing a bedbug outbreak.
What is happening in Paris?
There are many bedbugs in public places all over Paris. The government is worried because many tourists will visit Paris for the 2024 Olympics. If this problem is not fixed before then, the bedbugs could spread worldwide.
The insects have been seen in the Paris Metro, public buses, trains, the airport, cinemas, hospitals, etc.
What is the government doing about this?
In 2020, the French government started doing things to stop bedbugs. They made a website that explains how to get rid of them and set up a phone hotline. Transport Minister Clément Beaune said he's going to talk to transport groups to fix this issue and make sure travellers are safe.
Emmanuel Grégoire, Paris's Deputy Mayor, wants insurers to cover bedbug problems in home insurance. This is because some people can't afford pest control companies.
The French Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) said that they should give money to people who cannot afford to pay for the costly bedbug treatment.
What are the signs of bedbug infestation?
Bite marks on the face, neck, arms, or hands after sleeping could be a sign of bedbugs. But sometimes, it takes up to two weeks for these bite marks to show up.
Here are other signs to look for:
- Bedbugs leave behind their old skins after they shed them.
- One can look in their mattress and sheets for bedbugs hiding in the folds.
- One can also see reddish-brown stains on the bed or furniture from the bedbugs’ faeces, which have blood in them.
How to avoid and get rid of bedbugs?
One should wash their bedding, curtains, and clothes in hot water. One can use a brush to clean their mattress and get rid of bedbugs and their eggs, but it’s best to change the mattress if one gets bedbugs. The bed and the nearby area must be cleaned regularly. To stop bedbugs, one can also cover their mattress.
Sometimes, chemical treatments are required to get rid of bedbugs. It's best to hire trained people to do this. These are some ways to avoid and remove bedbugs.
