Bedbugs, those tiny nocturnal parasites that feed on our blood as we slumber, have become a pervasive nuisance in France, causing widespread anxiety in the run-up to the Olympic Games just over nine months away, where large crowds create ideal conditions for infestations of these elusive insects.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has called a meeting of ministers to address the bedbug crisis, and Transport Minister Clement Beaune has met with transportation companies to formulate a plan for monitoring and disinfection. This effort is aimed at alleviating what some perceive as a national phobia exacerbated by media coverage.
Beaune reassured the public that there hasn't been a resurgence of bedbug cases, dismissing reports of 37 cases in buses and the Metro, along with a dozen on trains, as unfounded. Viral videos on social media purporting to show bedbugs burrowing into the seats of fast trains were also debunked.
Nonetheless, bedbugs have long been a problem in France and around the world. These minuscule, apple seed-sized insects, which neither jump nor fly, can easily hitch rides with travelers, moving from city to city and nation to nation. They have also developed resistance to insecticides and can survive for up to a year without a meal. In the absence of blood, they can slow their metabolism and lie in wait until they detect carbon dioxide, signaling the presence of humans, and reactivating them to bite.
Data from the National Agency for Health and Food Safety revealed that more than one in ten households in France dealt with bedbug infestations between 2017 and 2022. Despite the prevalence of the issue, many people are hesitant to report it due to the fear of social stigma.
It's essential to debunk the misconception that bedbugs are associated with hygiene; their sole interest is human blood. These pests are indifferent to living conditions, whether it's a rundown dwelling or an opulent palace.
As bedbug infestations rise, pest control businesses are booming. Detection often starts with specially trained dogs that can identify the insects' distinct odor. Once an infestation is confirmed, technicians employ super-hot steam to eliminate the bugs, as they are vulnerable to heat and cold. One government recommendation even suggests placing well-wrapped clothes in the freezer.
The panic surrounding bedbugs escalated when reports emerged of an infestation at a Paris movie theater about a month ago. Videos circulated on social media, showing the insects on public transport.
Both the Socialist and centrist parties of President Emmanuel Macron's party are considering proposing legislation to combat bedbugs. Far-left lawmaker Mathilde Panot even brought a vial of bedbugs to Parliament to criticize the government for not addressing the issue.
Bedbugs, which were once effectively eradicated with now-banned insecticides, made a resurgence in the 1950s, particularly in densely populated urban areas like New York. They've since become a global problem due to commerce and tourism, presenting a challenge for the upcoming Paris Olympics in July.
According to entomologist Jean-Michel Berenger, "All human population movements are profitable for bedbugs because they go with us, to hotels, in transport." Transport Minister Beaune hopes to alleviate public fear, but as he admitted, "It's hell, these bedbugs."
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