Will bed bugs travel from Paris to the UK? They’re already here, expert says
Paris is grappling with a bed bug infestation – but the problem is likely just as bad in London, an expert says.
“I think there’s probably a similar level of issue in London as there is in Paris at present,” microbiologist and founder of Bed Bugs Ltd David Cain told Sky News.
“They’re already on buses, trains, tubes, cinemas, doctor’s surgeries, public spaces, hospitals.”
The difference is that Parisians are talking about the problem, while Brits are “trying to keep the whole thing quiet”, he said.
That culture of silence, where people don’t know there is an issue and don’t know how to tackle it, creates the perfect environment for bed bugs to spread, he said.
So what’s happening in Paris and the UK, and how can you avoid picking up bed bugs – or deal with them if you do?
Here’s everything you need to know…
What’s happening in Paris?
Bed bugs aren’t a new problem in France’s capital – but things seem to have got worse recently.
They have been spotted in homes, cinemas, hospitals and trains, according to reports.
Emmanuel Gregoire, deputy mayor of Paris, described them as a “scourge” and a “public health problem” as he called on the prime minister to act.
The city has been waging war on the creatures for years. In 2020, the government launched a campaign to tackle the problem, setting up an emergency helpline where people could get expert advice.
More than one in 10 French households had a bedbug infestation between 2017 and 2022, according to a report from ANSES, the French health and safety agency.
France is grappling with how to control the problem before the 2024 Paris Olympics
How bad is the bed bug problem in the UK?
The UK saw a 65% increase in bed bug infestations from 2022 to 2023, according to data released by pest-control company Rentokil in September.
Reacting to the findings, Natalie Bungay from the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) said she wasn’t surprised.
“Reports of bed bug activity tend to increase in the summer as people travel more.
“The lack of travel during COVID-19 lockdowns meant bed bug issues were few and far between, so it’s not surprising we’re now seeing a rapid rise in call outs.”
Mr Cain estimated 5% of households in London have had a bed bug infestation in the last two years.
People who haven’t been on holiday for years are finding the bugs at home, he said, so it’s not as simple as people travelling and bringing them back.
People who don’t have cars are also facing the problem, indicating they are embedded on public transport networks, he said.
The increase in recent years is part of a decades-long trend. Bed bugs were common before the Second World War, but the discovery of DDT as a cheap and effective insecticide helped control them.
But the insects developed resistance to DDT, and then to the next wave of insecticides.
Could bed bugs travel from Paris to the UK?
Bed bugs are known for hitching rides when people stay at hotels with infestations, and can survive a plane or Eurostar journey back to the UK.
Eurostar said it was on alert and ready to step up “preventive treatment” across the network.
A spokesperson told Sky News finding insects such as bed bugs on trains was “extremely rare”.
“The textile surfaces on all of our trains are cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis and this involves hot-water injection and extraction cleaning, which has proven highly effective in eliminating bugs.”
Trains will be disinfected “on request or as soon as there is the slightest doubt” if there is a report on a hygiene matter, they added.
Mr Cain said the treatment frequency would need to be “one journey, one clean” to really tackle the problem.
“Otherwise you’re using the same train to go backwards and forwards – and every time a new set of customers get on, then they potentially pick up the problems left by the previous one.”
But he reiterated his message: infestations in the UK will not just be down to bed bugs crossing the Channel, because “they are already here”.
There’s concern bed bugs could be hitching a ride on public transport.
What should you do to prevent an infestation?
Regularly checking your mattress, cleaning the frame of the bed and vacuuming around it will mean any bed bugs can be found and dealt with quickly.
Mr Cain also advised installing a bed bug monitor on your mattress which will show if any bed bugs have crossed its path.
Mr Cain said: “If you don’t get into that disciplined practice of checking once a month, there will come a day when you tip your mattress up and there’s going to be maybe 5,000 or 6,000 bed bugs looking back at you.
“Once they’ve been in your property for more than about 60 days, the population is doubling every 14 days.”
If you spot bed bugs, what should you do?
The most important thing is not to panic, Mr Cain said, because you are more likely to make mistakes in a heightened state of anxiety.
He listed three common mistakes to avoid: don’t use an aerosol-based insecticide, don’t use a fogger for bed bugs and don’t throw away furniture because you could introduce the bugs to any new furniture.
If you’ve caught the problem early, it may be possible to eradicate it by washing bedding and clothes on a hot wash and vacuuming the affected room.
But DIY solutions involve a big time investment to research and do them right, he said – and there’s no point only getting rid of 90% of the bugs because you’ve still got an infestation.
The NHS advises calling a pest control company or your local council. If you rent, it’s the responsibility of your landlord, local council or housing association to deal with the infestation if it predated your tenancy.
How do you spot bed bugs?
Bed bugs tend to hide in bed frames, mattresses, clothing and furniture, and mostly come out at night to feed on sleeping humans.
Your first sign of bed bugs might be bites, which can be raised and itchy and are often in a line.
Bed bugs are not known to carry disease, but the bites can be uncomfortable and the psychological toll of an infestation can be distressing.
Not everyone will react to the bites, so you might be sharing a bed with the bugs without noticing.
Other telltale signs include spots of blood on bedding, either from the bites or from squashing a bed bug that’s recently fed, or brown spots on bedding or furniture from bed bug faeces.
Confirmation of bed bugs involves either seeing the creatures, their shed skins, or testing the faeces spots.
Adult bed bugs are about 5mm long and look a bit like an apple pip. The eggs are about 1mm long and pearly white – they may be found on their own or in clusters.
Bed bugs on a wooden bedframe. Pic: Bed Bugs Ltd
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How can you avoid bed bugs while travelling?
If you’re staying in a hotel or apartment, check your bed for bugs, looking in the seams of the mattress and cracks of the headboard.
Avoid putting your suitcase under the bed and keep it zipped as much as possible – just take clothes out as you wear them and don’t leave them on the floor.
Keep your suitcase elevated on a hard surface if possible. When you’re packing for a trip, put clothes into resealable plastic bags and use a hard-shelled case if you have one.
How can you ease the itch of bites?
The NHS recommends putting something cool on the infected area, trying not to scratch to avoid infection and keeping the area clean.
If your bites are very itchy or painful, a pharmacist may be able to recommend a steroid cream or antihistamine.
Will France’s bed bug problem be solved by next summer’s Olympics?
France is holding crisis meetings about bed bugs in the first week of October – less than 10 months before the Paris 2024 Olympics open.
On 3 October, the French government said a cross-party bill would be put forward in December to combat the “scourge” of bed bugs.
The head of Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party in the French National Assembly, Sylvain Maillard, said the president’s party and its allies had decided to make the subject a “priority”, Le Monde reported.
But there is an “incredibly narrow window” for authorities to get the problem under control, Mr Cain said.
The solution would lie in “getting ahead of the infestation site” by installing monitors and making sure rigorous screening programmes are in place across the city’s accommodation, transport network and the Olympic Village.
“To be honest, I don’t think Paris has enough time now,” he said.
The jailing of Mike Amesbury for 10 weeks for assault means Sir Keir Starmer potentially faces his first by-election test since becoming prime minister.
Officially, the 55-year-old former Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby now faces a recall petition, but realistically he’s under enormous pressure to resign without delay.
Politics latest: ‘Alarm bells ringing’ for Labour
Amesbury was immediately disowned by the Labour Party, which condemned his actions in the assault as “completely unacceptable” and said it was time for a new MP.
“Local residents in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency deserved better, and we look forward to them getting the representation they deserved in the future with a new MP,” said a party spokesperson.
However, if Amesbury appeals against his sentence, as it’s being suggested he may, that would delay a by-election as a writ can’t be moved unless appeals are exhausted, or he stands down voluntarily.
Amesbury held the Cheshire seat with a seemingly healthy 14,696 majority at the July 2024 general election. But in a potential nightmare for Sir Keir, it was Reform UK – not the Conservatives – in second place.
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK leads the opinion polls. Pic: Reuters
A challenge for Labour – but Tories in disarray
The current state of opinion polls, with Nigel Farage’s party edging ahead of Labour, suggests Reform will be in contention in a by-election and could pull off a sensational victory.
And so predictably it was Reform’s chairman Zia Yusuf who led calls from opponents for Amesbury to resign, followed by a handful of Tory backbenchers – but not by Kemi Badenoch yet.
“The great people of Runcorn deserve far better than waiting six weeks for a recall petition to take place,” said Mr Yusuf. “We call on Mike Amesbury to do the honourable thing and resign immediately.”
The risk of humiliation by Mr Farage may deter Labour big hitter Jonathan Ashworth – one of five Labour MPs defeated in July last year – from gambling on a quick return to Westminster in this seat.
The Conservatives appear to be in disarray over a potential by-election. Sky News can reveal that party HQ last week invited applications to be Tory candidate, with a deadline fast approaching.
“We are writing to invite applications for Runcorn and Helsby,” said a letter from the party’s candidates team. “We are particularly keen to see applications from people with links to the constituency.
“If you are eligible to stand and interested in applying, please apply through the Microsoft Form here and apply by no later than Tuesday 25th February at 12pm.”
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Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury. Pic: Reuters
When could a by-election happen?
A recall petition happens if an MP is jailed or receives a suspended sentence of a year or less. It lasts six weeks and if 10% of electors sign it, there’s a by-election – though the recalled MP can stand.
The last MP to be jailed was Tory Imran Ahmad Khan, former MP for Wakefield, who was sentenced to 18 months after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-yar-old boy. Labour won that by-election.
Although Sir Keir and the Labour high command have acknowledged since Amesbury pleaded guilty that a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby was almost inevitable, the party faces a dilemma over the timing of a poll.
Labour’s statement looking forward to a new MP suggests the party favours a speedy by-election, without the delay of a recall petition, rather than waiting until the local elections on 1 May or even later.
But there are dangers in a quick poll, as Sir Keir will recall. He was advised to rush the Hartlepool by-election in 2021, with disastrous results, and he has admitted he considered quitting after that humiliating defeat.
Sir Keir Starmer had a good record in by-elections when Labour were in opposition. Pic: Reuters
The numbers in Runcorn and Helsby last July were Labour on 22,358 votes (52.94%), Reform 7,662, (18.14%), Conservatives 6,756, (16%), Greens 2,715, (6.43%) and Liberal Democrats 2,149, (5.09%).
Runcorn is on the southern bank of the River Mersey and has expanded as a new town since 1964, and dominates the constituency with a population of 61,000. There are two smaller towns, Frodsham and Helsby.
Amesbury became MP for the processor seat of Weaver Vale in 2017. He was a shadow minister for work and pensions under Jeremy Corbyn, and for housing, communities and local government under Sir Keir until 2022.
A teenager who admitted killing his mother and two younger siblings was plotting a school shooting, it can now be reported.
Nicholas Prosper, 19, appeared at Luton Crown Court over the deaths of Juliana Falcon, 48, Giselle Prosper, 13, and Kyle Prosper, 16.
Their bodies were found at a flat in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive, Luton, in September.
As he appeared in court on Monday, Prosper spoke to confirm his identity and to plead guilty to three charges of murder.
Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy, from Bedfordshire Police, said: “We understand the deep shock this case will have on people within Luton and across the country.
“Juliana, Kyle and Giselle were brutally murdered in their home by someone intent on causing the maximum harm and distress on not only his family, but to the wider community.
“We are extremely grateful to our officers who stopped him and prevented him from going through with his plans to target a school.
“We are working closely alongside Luton Borough Council to engage with schools in Luton to provide support, assistance and guidance to both schools and parents.”
Giselle Prosper (left), Juliana Falcon (centre), Kyle Prosper (right). Pic: Family pictures via Bedfordshire Police
Leader of Luton Council, Hazel Simmons MBE, branded the murders as “senseless” and said their thoughts were with the victims, their family and friends.
She then said the “revelation that the perpetrator had plans to cause further harm in one of our schools is extremely shocking, distressing and upsetting”.
The councillor sought to reassure parents by saying “our schools have robust systems in place to keep children safe and security is constantly reviewed and monitored”.
After recently asking schools to review their security, Ms Simmons said schools will be asked to further review their measures in light of what emerged from court on Monday.
“On behalf of the town I would like to thank and praise the excellent work of Bedfordshire Police for apprehending the perpetrator before he attempted to cause more harm.
“However, we know this case will be unsettling for parents which is why the council is working with schools to put support in place in our schools to anyone who needs it.”
Prosper also admitted a number of other offences, including purchasing a shotgun without a certificate, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and possession of a kitchen knife in a public place.
He will be sentenced on 5 March and has been remanded in custody.
‘A cold-blooded attack’
Chris Derrick, a deputy chief crown prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said the victims’ lives “were stolen in a cold-blooded attack”.
Mr Derrick said in a statement “the full extent of Prosper’s actions will be laid bare when he is sentenced, and he can expect to face a very long time behind bars”.
He added: “We hope today’s conviction offers some solace to those who loved and cared for them, as they mourn their loss.”
A friend of Ms Falcon previously described her as someone who “lived for her children” and said she was “a positive person who will be so terribly missed”.
A previous statement on X from the headteacher at Lea Manor High School said they were “deeply shocked” by the death of Giselle.
“Giselle was a beautiful soul and a model pupil, she excelled in all her subjects and will be sorely missed, particularly by her friends in Year 9.”
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Kyle’s school described the incident as “devastating” and offered “heartfelt condolences” to his family.
A previous statement issued by Cardinal Newman Catholic School said: “This is devastating news to all those who knew and loved Kyle and it will take some time to come to terms with the profound sense of loss.
“We know this will be a difficult time for students and staff and we will do all we can to support them with love and compassion.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Kyle’s family on their immeasurable loss, to his friends and to all those in neighbouring schools who are coming to terms with their own loss.”
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