Paris Is Panicked Over Parasites — The French Bed Bug Bedlam, Explained

Paris, the famed city of lights, is one of the finest travel destinations in the whole world. It’s so popular in fact that bedbugs apparently can’t get enough of the French city. According to many media outlets, the city has been hit with a pretty significant bed bug problem since the summer — with videos of bug sightings everywhere from the Paris Metro to movie theaters and the Charles de Gaulle Airport popping up on social media.

And I know what you’re thinking, “But you can’t see bedbugs!” Well, these ones are so big that you can in fact see them, which adds an extra level of disturbing to the whole story.

This is a huge problem because Paris is set to host the Summer Olympics in 2024, which will bring visitors from all across the world into the already hot tourist destination, potentially exposing millions to the nasty little creatures. It’s gotten so bad that Paris’ Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has asked the government to step in.

But how much of this is overblown? It’s hard to tell. Let’s explore the available information out there.

How Bad Is The Bed Bug Problem In Paris?

Aside from the videos appearing on social media, CBS News reports that Paris companies specializing in the treatment of insect infestations say they’ve been “overwhelmed” in recent weeks. However, it should be noted that we haven’t come across a story that gives any information on who these alleged companies are, so it’s not entirely easy to look into. All we have to base this on is social media reporting, news sites regurgitating similar information, and the fact that the French government has responded to the issue.

Also, many of the videos posted by news sites (like the video below) seem sensationalized as f*ck. Where is this B-roll footage from? What’s with the dude spraying for bugs? How much of this is actually from France?

What Are The Best Tips For Travelers?

You’re going to want to be vigilant if you’re staying at a hotel. As we mentioned before, bedbugs aren’t always visible to the naked eye so be sure to investigate the sheets, bed frame, and underneath the bed in your hotel looking for blood spots, or anything that resembles pepper grounds on the pillows or sheets. That said, larger and more expensive hotels know how social media works and they’re sure to be vigilant about managing the issue.

According to the EPA, adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and are long and brown with a flat oval-shaped body. Younger bed bugs can be translucent or white and may be invisible to the naked eye. A good DIY recipe for combating bedbugs is rubbing alcohol, but it’s safe to say if you see traces of bed bugs in your hotel room, it’s probably a bigger problem than you can fix.

What Places Should You Avoid?

This entirely depends on how paranoid you are. For every video showing the horrors of the bed bug situation in Paris, there are videos of people who are being understandably cautious but haven’t actually seen any bed bugs and instead give in to pure hearsay. Videos have claimed bed bugs have been spotted in movie theaters, public transportation, and the airport but what are you going to do?

Not go to movie theaters? Take public transportation? Fly?

You’re really not going to take public transportation in Paris? We’re not convinced. Look I’m not saying give yourself over to the bed bug overlords willingly, but if the Paris bed bug situation is really as rampant as people are making it out to be, there is nothing you can really do aside from walking around outdoors. Luckily… Paris is a beautiful city, so enjoy your walk!

How Has France Responded?

According to Politico, this Tuesday French Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau urged calm in an interview with France Inter claiming that there is “no reason for a general panic,” and explaining that the city has not been “invaded by bedbugs.” CNBC reports that France’s transport minister, Clément Beaune, echoed Rousseau’s concerns to French Broadcaster BFM TV on Wednesday, telling reporters

“There is no resurgence, we must not fall into madness,” and assured that discussions would be held with cleaning companies and transport operators for efficient solutions.

Which, to be fair, sounds like a whole lot of damage control. That said, the media has a tendency to blow up tiny problems into big ones if those problems result in a high number of clicks. Look, we’re not saying Paris isn’t having a bed bug situation right now, like Las Vegas and most cities in the summer, it seems to be going through a marked and noticeable increase. That said, we’d be smart to remember that the city has a spotlight on it right now due to Paris Fashion Week — resulting in an influx of travelers to the city and scrutiny.

Going to Paris doesn’t guarantee you’re going to be met with bed bugs. Still… be sure to check for droppings or blood spots on your hotel pillows and metro seats just in case.