Bed bugs Paris

gadget88

I was due to travel in February 2024 but cancelled. Anyway I have a Brussels trip booked but these trains go via France. How big is the risk? I am considering delaying but they said the olympics could be disrupted so any trips? That’s six months or more away how long should I delay my trip for? Seems a real issue in France right now. I have two day visits to Brussels booked?

Keep_pedalling

The only risk is you get some itchy bites. Bed bugs don’t carry any serious health risks 

born_again

Lavender oil, or such..

cymruchris

If you're just passing through on the train I'm sure the risk is minimal. If it really, really worries you, leave a change of clothes just inside your front door at home - then when you come back with your suitcases, change immediately, put the clothes in the wash straight away on a highish temperature, put the suitcases in a part of the house that you least frequent - and then go take a shower. That will at least make you feel better They are already (and have been for some time) in the UK - you could pick them up from anywhere.

Puddings

I picked up bedbugs earlier this year, from somewhere in the UK. They were a pain but nowhere near able to put me off travelling!! I did get a professional in and she suggested the following - don't put your suitcases on soft furnishings (e.g. the bed, sofa), consider wrapping in strong clingfilm, on your return open the case in the bath then you can see if anything falls out. 

gadget88

I have heard Eurostar are disinfecting trains but they say these bed bugs are hard to get rid of. I was at the cinema tonight and even inspecting the seats. Seems an issue in France but not sure how big an issue outside France. They have shut schools ect. The media have said people catch it on day visits to Paris but as I say I’m going to Belgium. The metros there don’t have fabric seats either. I’m not sure how big a problem it would be on Eurostar that’s why I asked. 

prettyandfluffy

Despite the press coverage, this is not a new problem and it's not exclusive to Paris.  Anywhere with a big turnover of guests is at risk.  Take sensible precautions, if you notice a problem make hotel staff aware and ask for a different room.

gadget88

prettyandfluffy said:

Despite the press coverage, this is not a new problem and it's not exclusive to Paris.  Anywhere with a big turnover of guests is at risk.  Take sensible precautions, if you notice a problem make hotel staff aware and ask for a different room.

Thanks it’s just a Premier inn in London it is more the Eurostar I worry about the seats ect. 

sheramber

While everyone would like to blame France for exporting their bedbug epidemic, cases of bedbugs have been on the rise in the UK for a while. Between 2022 and 2023, there was a 65% increase in reported infestations, according to data released by pest-control company Rentokil in September. Cain estimates that 5% of households in London have had a bedbug infestation in the last two years.

“Today we are blaming the French, but a decade ago, we were blaming New York City,” Cains says. “Now the reality is, and this is a real shocker for a lot of people, bedbugs roamed the Earth with dinosaurs and have had more time on the planet than we have as a species,” so they’re pretty resilient critters.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/11/wednesday-briefing-first-edition-bedbugs#:~:text=Between 2022 and 2023, there,in the last two years.

ch3shirecat4

My friends and I had a trip planned for November but are feeling the same about staying and travelling through Paris. I suppose bed bugs have always and will always be around though!

gadget88

I cancelled Paris already im due to visit Brussels Instead but worry how clean Eurostar seats are? Has anybody travelled recently?