Itching, swelling, stress, but also social isolation… bed bugs are affecting the daily lives of more and more French people. Before rapidly stemming the spread of these insects, it is still necessary to know how to recognize them
They were thought to have disappeared in the middle of the 20th century. However, bedbugs, also known as“bedbugs“, have indeed returned to French homes. In 2018, according to the association Right to housing (DAL), at least 400,000 sites were infested with these pests, a third more than the previous year. The scale of the phenomenon is such that the government has launched a national plan to prevent and control these blood-borne insects.
Bedbugs feed on human blood, preferably at night because they live in the dark. Also, they live mainly in our bedrooms, attracted by the vibrations, heat, odors and carbon dioxide released by individuals when they sleep. Unlike lice, they do not live on their host and take advantage of our sleep to bite us.
Once full, they take refuge in nooks and crannies, cracks, curtain seams, electrical outlets, on beds, sofas or armchairs and can survive up to two years before returning to attack. This phenomenon is all the more problematic since a female can lay 200 to 500 eggs during her lifetime
How to recognize a bed bug?
Bedbugs are visible to the naked eye: as adults, they measure between 4 and 7 millimeters long, about the size of an apple seed. Their color varies from red to brown, due to the blood they absorb to feed.
They do not jump or fly, but rather move around like ants. Their eggs are often found in clusters of four or five. They have the shape of white rice grains of 1 to 2 mm
Their bite is usually painless, due to the presence of painkillers in their saliva. Some people may not even realize that they have been bitten, and others may experience intense itching in the morning, which subsides as the day progresses.
How do you know if you have bed bugs in your home?
Unfortunately, these insects are difficult to spot. We often notice their presence after a few months by noticing the increasingly recurring bites or by coming face to face with a bedbug.
Bedbugs, as well as their droppings (black spots visible to the naked eye) or their eggs, are generally found in the folds of mattresses, box springs, sheets, clothing or curtains. Traces of blood can also appear on sheets, following the crushing of a bedbug during the night.
Bed bug bites are often grouped in groups of 3 or 4 on the skin on the exposed parts of the body : face, hands, arms, back or legs. These skin lesions disappear spontaneously in about ten days. As much as possible, it is necessary to avoid scratching them to limit scarring.
Are bedbugs dangerous to health?
According to a study published by the Sentinelles network (Inserm and Sorbonne University) on July 27, 2020, bed bugs are not dangerous as such: “although they can carry up to 45 pathogens, there is currently no evidence that they can be vectors of infectious diseases in humans,” the researchers noted
However, they can cause physical and psychological discomfort . Bites carry the risk of superinfection, anaphylaxis and anemia. A medical consultation may be necessary if the lesions become infected or if an allergic reaction such as hives occurs (rather painful bright red blisters).
But their presence can also have psychological consequences for patients who are more – at risk of insomnia, stress and anxiety (which can lead to depression). “The cost of eradication can be very high, and the implementation of means to combat it can be a significant source of additional anxiety,” the scientists add.
Over the period 2019-2020, in metropolitan France, 72,000 consultations with a general practitioner have been linked to bed bugs. The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and PACA regions are the most impacted, according to Inserm. The main reasons for consultations are
- the presence of skin lesions (98%)
- insomnia (39%)
- the infestation had an impact on professional, family or social life (39%)
- and the deterioration of psychological health (15%).
How can you prevent your home from being infested with these bed fleas?
The main person responsible for their spread is often… humans. It is by moving his belongings like suitcases and sometimes his clothes, or by moving around that he carries the bedbugs from one place to another. To prevent infestations in the home, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health recommends limiting the places where they can hide, paying attention to the objects you bring home andregularly inspecting your home, especially the bed and furniture.
Also be vigilant while travelling: always check the condition of the bedding and furniture at your disposal; avoid putting your clothes on the bed or in hotel drawers; check your suitcase and its contents upon your return. Also, bed bugs don’t like temperatures that are too high or too low. If you suspect an infestation, wash your clothes at 60°C (whether they have been worn or not); vacuum your suitcases and immediately dispose of the vacuum bag in a well-sealed plastic bag.
How do I get rid of bed bugs?
If you find bed bugs in your home, you need to act quickly. The longer you wait, the more bed bugs will move to other rooms in the residence and to other dwellings.
Clean your apartment from top to bottom first,
- Vacuum everything in the home including furniture, bedding, curtains and the back of paintings. Throw the bag outside after sealing it tightly.
- To eliminate parasites, wash your laundry at 60°C. Non-washable textiles and objects should be tumble dried for 30 minutes at the highest temperature; or put in the freezer at -20°C for 72 hours.
- You can also steam clean your home at 120°C.
- If necessary, get rid of some furniture, wallpaper, carpets (avoid storing them in common areas of buildings).
Call on professionals most often
If these measures are not sufficient to eliminate bedbugs, there is only one solution: call upon a decontamination company, preferably a company that has received a Certibiocide certificateissued by the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition less than 5 years ago. A minimum of two interventions will be necessary, approximately 2 weeks apart. To find a trusted professional in each department: consult the website of the Chambre syndicale des industries de désinfection, désinsectisation et dératisation (CS3D). You can also consult the hygiene service of your commune.
Faced with the multiplication of bedbugs in France, the government has set up a toll-free number: 0 806 706 806 and a dedicated site stop-punaises.gouv.fr.
Sources :
– Ministry of Solidarity and Health
– “PULI Study: Consultations related to bed bugs in general medicine in metropolitan France, period 2019-2020”, Sentiweb, July 27, 2020.