France Grapples with Bedbug Infestation Ahead of Summer Olympics

Paris: France is grappling with a bedbug infestation that has raised concerns as the country prepares to host the Olympic Games in just over nine months. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has called a meeting of ministers to address the issue, which has caused anxiety among the public.

Transport Minister Clement Beaune has sought to allay fears, stating that reports of bedbug cases in transportation systems were largely unfounded. However, bedbugs have been a persistent issue in France and other countries, as these small insects easily travel from place to place and have become resistant to insecticides.

A recent report by the National Agency for Health and Food Safety revealed that over one in ten households in France experienced bedbug infestations between 2017 and 2022. Experts emphasize that bedbugs are not a hygiene problem and can affect anyone, regardless of their living conditions.

Businesses specializing in bedbug eradication have seen a surge in demand. Detection often begins with specially trained dogs identifying the insects’ distinctive odour, followed by treatments involving super-hot steam or freezing to eliminate the pests.

Public concern about bedbugs escalated after reports of infestations in public places, including a Paris movie theatre and videos depicting bedbugs on trains and buses spread on social media.

Lawmakers from various political parties are now considering proposing bills to combat the bedbug problem. Bedbugs, once thought to have been eradicated with now-banned insecticides, have made a resurgence in recent decades, partly due to increased travel and commerce.

As France prepares for the Paris Olympics, the challenge of addressing bedbug infestations in hotels and transportation remains. Transport Minister Beaune acknowledges the difficulty of the situation, stating, “It’s hell, these bedbugs.”