“ Bedbugs are parasitic insects that live away from light, in dark spaces. Bedrooms and living rooms with sofas are mainly affected. In the event of an infestation in a home, it is necessary to take strict measures to limit their proliferation until elimination. », Indicates the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
If these parasites had disappeared from circulation since the 1950s in France, the popularization of international travel and resistance to insecticides have allowed them to reappear on our territory. Bedbugs feed on blood and can survive several months without feeding. They can sting up to 90 times in a single night, causing itching and irritation on the skin.
While bedbugs are making headlines in France, many of you fear them everywhere and wonder what their bites look like. A Parisian general practitioner, Dr. Walid Mekeddem, shared photos and advice via his Instagram account that can help you (and perhaps reassure you).
“The bug bites, then advances, then bites”
To recognize bites on your skin, be aware that they look like mosquito bites and mainly occur at night, when bedbugs are active. “ These bites can be grouped in 3 or 4 on the skin, sometimes in a line, and are generally located on exposed parts of the body (face, hands, arms, legs). They do not transmit disease but can cause significant itching or even allergic reactions (hives) », Specifies the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
“ There is also a small feature that allows you to orient yourself towards the bedbug. As you see in this photo, it is the linear nature of the buttons. We see that it draws a line, like a path. Indeed, it works on this principle. The bug bites, then advances, then bites. And if she’s all alone, that’s a line », describes Dr Mekeddem.
Bedbugs: how to prevent their appearance?
To the House, be sure to avoid cluttering spaces to reduce the number of places bed bugs can hide. The box spring and soft sofas, all this furniture which has folds in which pests can hide are therefore at risk. These are mostly places where you lie down for several hours a day. And by extension bedding, pillowcases, and blankets.
If you buy second-hand clothes, wash them at 60°C if possible. If they can’t be machine washed, freeze them for 75 hours. If you buy furniture at a flea market, for example, clean it with a specialized heat appliance (available for rental).
When vacationing at a hotel, do not place your luggage on the bed. Store them in a luggage rack and leave them closed when not in use. Do not put your clothes on the bed or in the wardrobes before examining them. Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye: these parasites are the size of an apple seed and are generally brown. They don’t jump or fly. When you arrive at a hotel room, check the bed (mattress, zippers, seams, padding, padding behind and around the headboard. Also take a look at the furniture and walls.
