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If you’ve seen the headlines recently, you’ll know all about the escalating bedbug crisis in Paris. Residents and tourists are facing nightmare scenarios as these relentless pests take over all kinds of spaces. Now, with concerns of these bugs crossing borders, we in Britain are left wondering: are our homes next?
These relentless pests are everywhere: schools, trains, cinemas, and homes are all under siege. And let’s get one thing straight – bedbugs don’t discriminate. Whether you’re staying at a high-end boutique hotel, or are just catching the bus to work, it’s all the same to them.
So, how can we protect our homes and families from these nasty critters? The experts at Acorn are here with the answers. Let’s get into it…
- Do Brits need to worry about the Paris bedbug infestation?
- Can bed bugs infest planes and public transport?
- What are the signs of bedbugs?
- How can you protect yourself from the Paris bedbug infestation?
Do Brits need to worry about the Paris bedbug infestation?
The alarming reality is that bedbugs are not limited to Paris alone. These tiny pests can easily hitch a ride on luggage or clothing and find their way back to the UK. With public transport being a common means of travel between the two countries, everyone needs to stay vigilant and take measures to prevent the spread of these unwelcome pests.
While it may seem overly cautious to take preventative measures, once these tiny invaders have found a home, they can wreak havoc on your day to day life. By staying informed and taking the necessary precautions, you can protect yourself against the Paris bedbug infestation and keep your home and family comfortable.
Can bed bugs infest planes and public transport?
Yes, bedbugs can indeed infest planes and public transport. These pesky insects are notorious for their ability to hide and hitch rides on various surfaces, making it easy for them to travel from place to place.
But how do they manage to get planes and buses? Well, one common way is through infested luggage or personal belongings. If a person’s luggage is infested with bedbugs, these insects can easily crawl out and hide in the seats or crevices of the plane or public transport.
Secondly, these bugs might be catching a direct ride on passengers themselves; if a person unknowingly carries bedbugs on their clothing or body, they can easily transfer these insects to the seats or surfaces they come into contact with.
The risks of bedbug infestations in planes and public transport are twofold. Firstly, these environments have a high turnover rate of passengers, making it easier for bedbugs to find new hosts. Secondly, the close proximity of passengers in these confined spaces increases the likelihood of bedbugs crawling from one person to another.
To avoid bedbug infestations during travel, there are several preventative measures that can be taken. Firstly, thoroughly inspect your luggage and personal belongings before boarding any plane or public transport. Pay close attention to seams and crevices where bed bugs may hide. Additionally, avoid placing your luggage or personal items on the floor or shared spaces, as these are prime areas for bedbugs to hide.
What are the signs of bedbugs?
Worried you have an infestation? Here’s are the common signs of bed bugs to look out for:
How do you identify bed bugs?
First, let’s talk about bites. Bed Bugs feed on human blood, often at night, leaving behind itchy, annoying bite marks in neat lines or clusters.
If you’ve noticed these bites, look out for little bugs with flat, oval bodies, about half a centimetre in length (that’s a little shorter than an apple seed). They have a reddish-brown colour and can carry a distinct, musty smell. They can even leave reddish-brown faecal marks on your bedding, furniture and / or walls.
Inspecting common hiding spots is a big part of identifying a bedbug problem. Check mattress seams, box springs, and upholstered furniture for signs of infestation, such as live bugs or dark spots indicating their presence. When travelling, inspect luggage racks and upholstered chairs for any signs of bedbugs before settling in.
Where are the bedbugs coming from?
Despite their name, bed bugs don’t just stick to your bed. They’re adventurous and will explore your couches, upholstered furniture, and even sneak behind walls, wallpaper, and electrical outlets. Their tiny, flat bodies make it easy for them to squirm into tight spots, becoming secret, unwanted roommates.
Since bedbugs can also be brought into your home through infested luggage, keep an eye out for signs of infestation in areas where you typically place bags and suitcases, such as closets or storage areas. Have a furry friend? Check them out too – pets can unknowingly introduce bed bugs into your home, so it’s important to inspect areas where they sleep, including pet beds and blankets.
Remember that early detection is key in preventing a bedbug infestation from spreading. If you think you have a bedbug problem, give our experts a call and we can help protect your home.
How to protect yourself from Paris bedbugs?
In order to protect yourself from the Paris bedbugs, you’ll need to be proactive. By following these simple steps, you can minimise the risk of inviting bed bugs into your home.
Cut the clutter
Keeping your home tidy is key to avoiding problems with bed bugs. Clutter not only provides additional hiding places for these pesky insects but also makes it more difficult to locate and treat them. By keeping things neat and getting rid of stuff you don’t need, you can significantly decrease the chances of a bed bug infestation in your home.
First, clean up any mess against the walls since bed bugs like to hide near the bed in small cracks. Next, spend some time organising. Use storage containers with secure lids and keep them elevated off the floor. This will make it harder for bed bugs to crawl into and hide among your belongings.
Wash and dry at high temperatures
Doing your laundry at high temperatures is a really important step in getting rid of bedbugs. These pests and their eggs can’t handle heat over 45°C, so regularly giving your bedding, clothes and other items a hot wash is a good way to kill them off.
If you think your bedding is infected, there are a few steps you can follow:
- Keep your bedding separate from the rest of your laundry to avoid spreading the infestation.
- Put them straight onto the hottest wash possible, or into a plastic bag to keep the bugs in one place.
- Once the wash cycle is done, tumble dry it on the hottest possible setting for at least 30 minutes.
If you’ve done all this and are still struggling, it’s likely the infestation has become too big to handle alone. But don’t worry – that’s why we are here. Just give our pest professionals a call and we’ll be on hand to get things back to rights.
Keep things off the floor
Bed bugs and their tiny eggs love to hide in anything that touches the floor, that’s why it’s a good idea to keep your items elevated whenever possible.
- Luggage: When you get back from a trip, put your suitcase on a luggage rack or somewhere raised up instead of on the floor. This helps stop bed bugs from crawling into your suitcase and coming home with you.
- Backpacks and Purses: Try not to put your backpack or purse on the floor, especially in public spots. Hang them up or put them on a table or chair instead, to keep away from possible bed bugs.
- Shoes: Since bed bugs can tuck themselves into tiny spots in your shoes, try storing them on a shoe rack or place them somewhere higher to keep bugs out.
- Laundry Baskets: Keep your laundry basket up off the floor because bed bugs might crawl in and make themselves comfy among your clothes.
Send Paris bedbugs packing With Acorn
We’ve all felt that little shiver down our spines hearing about the bed bug troubles over in Paris; nobody wants those tiny pests coming for an unwanted visit.
So, if you do find yourself scratching away a bed bug bites or spot some of those other telltale signs, give our qualified pest control team a call.
At Acorn, we know how important a good night’s sleep and a comfortable home is. Our friendly team knows all the ins and outs of bed bugs – where they hide, what they don’t like, and most importantly, how to show them the door, fast!
No fancy jargon, no confusing plans. Just straightforward, effective solutions to get your home back to being just yours again. And we don’t stop there – we’ll give you all the tips and tricks to keep it that way, too.
So if the bed bugs from Paris decide to hop across the channel, don’t stress – give Acorn a call, and let’s send them packing together.
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