What You Need to Know:
- Social media in Paris was full of bedbug reports in fall 2023.
- Official reactions have varied from denial to urgent calls to action, divided by political party.
- Anecdotal sightings of bedbugs have occurred on the Paris metro, national trains, and at airports.
- Bedbugs are a potential problem for any traveler, but there are steps you can take to limit your exposure.
Paris is full of bedbug rumors right now. But is Paris really full of bedbugs?
TikTok may say yes, but the government–and pest control experts–are less sure.
Here’s what you need to know about the current bedbug situation in Paris.
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11 Things to Know About Paris’s Bedbug Situation
1. Bedbug Sightings Dominate Parisian Social Media
The latest bedbug scare started on social media in September. TikTok has been the primary source for bedbug rumors. Recent videos related to the supposed infestation have received millions of views. One video of a mattress-filled Paris street captioned, “Its [sic] a bedbug pandemic” has 6.6 million views.
TikTok has been the primary driver of this trend. The hashtag #parisbedbugs has only 145 posts on Instagram. Compare this to #bedbugsnyc, which has 1214. It’s not a language issue, either. #punaisedelitparis (“Paris bedbugs” in French) has only 197 posts.
2. Bedbug Reports in Paris Are Mostly Anecdotal
No official government body has released figures about the supposed infestation. In fact, there’s no evidence that an infestation even exists. Minister Bruno Studler of the Renaissance Party pointed out that nobody knows the exact numbers. “We do not know today if there are more bedbugs than in 2019,” Studlar said at a governmental meeting on October 10 [Source: RFI].
However, social media has prompted French citizens to be ultra-vigilant in searching for the insects. Anecdotal coverage reports sightings on the Paris Métro subway system and at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Meanwhile, one library outside of Paris briefly closed for extermination [Source: The Guardian].
Other sightings referenced in the New York Times have taken place in movie theaters and one hospital. Le Monde reports that the education ministry has shut down seven schools across the country due to bedbugs. Nevertheless, no information is available to clarify whether the closures are unusual.
3. Government Reactions to Paris Bedbugs Are Uneven and Politicized
Government responses to the supposed infestation have varied, mostly by political party. Gabriel Attal, Minister of National Education, acknowledged school closures due to bedbugs. However, he pointed out that the few school reports of bedbugs come from a tiny percentage of France’s 60,000 institutions [Source: RFI]. He is a member of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party.
Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Clement Beaunethe of the same party also denies the rumors. He stated that there has been “no resurgence” in bedbugs, according to France24. The same source reported that SNCF, the national train company, has received 37 complaints but no confirmed sightings.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne called a governmental meeting on October 10 to discuss the issue.
Political rivals have taken the opportunity to criticize the government. Notably, the office of Socialist Party Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has called for a stronger response. It demanded a comprehensive plan in late September [Source: TF1]. And Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire of the same party posted on X (previously Twitter) that “no one is safe.”
4. Paris Bedbugs Are Not Just a 2023 Problem
Bedbugs are not a new problem, in Paris or any major world city. 11% of Paris households had an infestation in the last five years [Source: ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety]. ANSES stressed that there was no link between infestations and income.
Macron’s government has been aware of the issue for years. They created a 2020 plan to address the issue. They later replaced this with a 2022 plan. This centered around informing the public, detecting bedbugs, and surveilling the issue.
5. International Events Have Drawn Attention to an Old Problem
So why have bedbugs in Paris become such a hot topic in fall 2023? International events are partly responsible for the spread of rumors. Paris is hosting the Rugby World Cup in September and October. Meanwhile, Paris Fashion Week took place between September 25 and October 3.
Strong governmental reactions, both denials and calls to action, take place in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
The anecdotal behavior Paris bedbugs are exhibiting also has some worried. The Independent noted that some of the bugs are “apparently increasingly resistant to insecticide.”
However, it’s important to keep in mind that these are reactions to unconfirmed bedbug sightings.
6. Bedbugs Do Not Cause Major Health Problems
Travelers to Paris should remember that, while off-putting, bed bugs don’t spread disease. The CDC refers to them as “an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep.”
The telltale sign of bedbugs are clusters of bites, often in threes [Source: CBS]. They may take several days to appear. Avoid over-scratching to prevent skin complications.
Still, the rumors of Paris bedbugs are more likely to take a toll on mental health than physical health. The supposed infestation may worsen anxiety.
7. Travelers Can Physically Protect Themselves Against Bedbugs
There’s no way to be 100% safe while traveling. However, you can take precautions to minimize your risk. First, contact your hotel to check whether travelers have found bedbugs at the property. You can also search the reviews on Booking.com to see if travelers report having spotted bedbugs.
Several steps can protect you from bedbugs staying in a Paris hotel. Lift the sheets and mattress, looking for small black spots. You should also check any upholstery. A key sign is the smell of rotten fruit.
Keep your suitcase in the bathroom, as bedbugs are less likely to inhabit tiles [Source: The New York Times]. Dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal recommends spraying isopropyl alcohol. Then, look for bedbugs that come out in response [ CBS News]. A UV flashlight may also help reveal them. Bedbugs are the size of a sesame seed and red-brown.
Bedbugs cannot fly, but they can jump and crawl. Avoid upholstered surfaces in public, like subway and cinema seats.
8. Travelers Can Financially Protect Themselves Against Bedbugs
Some travel insurance policies will reimburse you for bedbug-related issues. Look for “Travel Inconvenience” benefits [Source: USA Today].
Report bedbugs immediately to the hotel or rental service if you spot signs of the insects. The French term is “Punaises de lit.” The hotel or service should immediately move you to a new room and cover cleaning costs for your personal items. Some may offer reimbursement or other benefits to compensate you for the inconvenience.
9. The Hospitality and Travel Industries Are Aware of the Problem
You shouldn’t face issues getting a clean room at a hotel if you report bedbugs. The issue is common enough that even staff with limited English will likely recognize the term “bedbug.”
Meanwhile, hotels and transportation services are using extra precautions to spot problems early. These include canine “sniffer” dogs [Source: The Guardian].
Air France has recently issued a release explaining their procedure for a potential bedbug spotting. France’s national airline stated: ” If the presence of bedbugs was confirmed, a chemical treatment of the aircraft would be carried out by a duly accredited service provider, according to a protocol validated by the public health authorities” [Source: The Times].
10. Bedbugs Are Stubborn But Not Immortal
It’s not the end of the world if you do get bedbugs in Paris. Prevent their spread on your return with a few simple precautions. First, don’t take your luggage inside. Instead, put all of your clothing into a garbage bag, then close it securely. Wash clothing at temperatures over 125F for 90 minutes [Source: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services].
Don’t forget to clean your baggage, too. A garment steamer on high heat will work if you use it thoroughly.
11. Bedbug Treatment Is Annoying But Possible
Bedbugs have a reputation for being hard to get rid of. They can be. If you suspect you have an infestation, an exterminator is your best bet. Non-chemical methods can also work for smaller spaces and items.
If you need to take care of the problem yourself, work to contain the infestation first. Seal cracks with silicone caulk, throw out infested items, and get protective covers for your bed [Source: EPA].
The EPA recommends non-chemical methods first. These include a clothes dryer and steam cleaners for individual items. Larger infestations will likely require a pest management company and pesticides.
FAQ About Bedbugs in Paris
What caused Paris’s bedbugs?
The causes of Paris’s bedbugs are a large population and high tourism, according to Le Monde. However, there is no indication that the recent reports are unusual for Paris or any big city.
How bad is the bedbug situation in Paris?
The bedbug situation in Paris has slightly worsened over the past few years [Source: Le Monde]. According to an etymologist that Le Monde interviewed, this is due to a recent surge in tourism.
Are bedbugs common in Paris?
Bedbugs are common in Paris. They have been for several years: 11% of Paris households had an infestation between 2017 and 2022 [Source: ANSES].
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Paris does have bedbugs, but so do most major cities. Politicians and social media have encouraged this “panic.” Nothing indicates that there’s a more serious infestation in 2023 than in previous high-travel years or other parts of the world. Take a few simple precautions to keep your Paris trip safe and insect–free!
(Featured Image Credit: Paul Gueu / Shutterstock)
