Focus on bedbugs
They are in fact small, red-brown and flat-shaped insects that feed on human blood. They manage to quickly slip into all corners: gaps in mattresses, bed structures, wall coverings, bedding edges, etc.
Bedbug bites are very unpleasant and cause unbearable itching, inflammations and even, in the most serious cases, allergic reactions. This can lead to rashes and feelings of irritation. In addition to skin problems, the presence of bedbugs can also harm people’s mental health because it creates insomnia and anxiety.
Marseille, the most affected city
According to the health surveillance network, Sentinelles, certain French regions are particularly affected by this scourge of bedbugs. At the top of this ranking, we find the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is followed by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and the Grand Est region.
Marseille is the city most affected by bedbugs. According to Maurice Pierre, manager of the A3DS company which specializes in the treatment of pests in Marseille:
Nearly one in five households is affected by an infestation in Bouches-du-Rhône. […] There is no longer any seasonality of the bedbug
Between 2018 and 2019, Marseille experienced a large proliferation of bedbugs. Bedbugs were present in the drivers’ cabins of the Marseille metro. They were even found on the passenger seats. Since September 24, 2023, a video has been filming showing an invasion of bedbugs on board a TGV coming from Marseille to Paris. The SNCF was obliged to reimburse in full the tickets of all the passengers present that day in the carriage infested with bedbugs.
The infestation is so bad that in 2023 the government has implemented a support platform dedicated to the inhabitants of Marseille as well as for the inhabitants of Bouches-du-Rhône. This allows them to get help if they experience a bedbug infestation.
Other cities affected by bedbugs
Other French cities are also affected by this phenomenon of bedbug infestation. This concerns, in particular:
- Nice, which arrives just after Marseille. It is the second most infested city in France,
- Paris, the capital only comes in third position in this ranking. However, the city is not spared from this infestation,
- Lyon is the fourth most affected city. In addition, Lyon must also face a significant increase in infestations,
- Toulouse is the 5th city on the list. The pink city is unfortunately one of the cities particularly affected by these infestations.
How to fight bedbugs?
It is possible to avoid bed bugs or eradicate them by following a few tips:
- carry out regular cleaningvacuuming, changing sheets and cleaning the mattress,
- monitor beds regularly, mattress and furniture around the bed. This makes it easier to detect the presence of bedbugs,
- use heat treatments : in short, expose the textiles affected by the infestation to a high temperature. This kills both bedbugs and eggs,
- and finally, call on professional services. They will then know how to implement the necessary treatment.
If you discover that bedbugs have invaded a public place, such as public transport, you must report it to the relevant staff or to the competent authorities. This will allow measures to be put in place to prevent the infestation from spreading in transport and other public places.