A real scourge that does not disappear overnight, the bed bug is talked about again and again. According to Inserm, there have been more than 70,000 consultations in general medicine in one year in France!
Parasite that gives you cold sweats as soon as its name is pronounced, the bedbug is rampant in France. In one year, more than 70,000 consultations with the doctor are linked to these tiny terrors, indicates a PULI study carried out by the Sentinelles network (Inserm – Sorbonne University).
"The incidence of consultations (109 per 100,000 inhabitants) related to bedbugs, although moderate, shows that the problem can affect the entire population, regardless of age, sex and region , with an upsurge in spring and summer, ”explains the survey.
During consultations, the most frequent reasons for visiting were: the presence of skin lesions (98%), but also the deterioration of the state of psychological health. For 39% of the patients who consulted, insomnia was common and 39% felt that the infestation had had an impact on their professional, family or social life.
But what are the areas most affected by bedbugs?
Hold your breath. Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes and Paca are the territories with a high rate of consultations (216 and 145 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants). Pays de la Loire, Burgundy and Franche-Comté are the most spared sectors (19 and 33 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants). The study shows that "the means of control used are often considered ineffective by the patients".
The General Directorate of Health (DGS) will "refer the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) to update the recommendations on effective methods of fighting bedbugs of bed ". For some time now, they have been on the rise almost everywhere in the world. The cause ? The ever-increasing number of trips and tourism. For information, a number (0.806.706.806) and a site (Stop-punaises.gouv.fr) are dedicated to these parasites.
Bed bug ID card
The Cimex lectularius or bedbugs are "the oldest human pests. It is a small insect about the size of an apple seed, which has an oval-shaped body. Brown and wingless, an adult on an empty stomach is approximately 5 to 7 mm long. After feeding, it grows slightly and takes on a dark blood-red tint ", according to the Ministry of Solidarity and Health.
These nasty little beasts feed at night, mostly on human blood. The good news is, they can't easily climb on metal or polished surfaces, let alone fly or jump. The first month after a home is contaminated, nuisances are very difficult to spot. Unfortunately, you have to wait to see the bites made during sleep and the presence of insects, and often the infestation may already be quite severe.
The bite is often painless, on the other hand "1 to 2 hours later appear itching and red marks on the skin like a mosquito bite." There are usually three to four bites in the same spot on the skin. And they are usually localized on the uncovered parts of the arms, legs and back.
"To date, nothing suggests that bedbugs are vectors of infectious diseases. However, an infestation can have consequences on health. In addition to skin symptoms, poorer quality sleep, but also stress, linked in particular the difficulty, financial and practical, to get rid of it are observed. ", states Inserm in its press release.
What are the tips for avoiding a bedbug infestation?
If we refer to the Ministry of Solidarity and Health. it is necessary :
– "When traveling, check the hotel room bed for possible bedbugs."
– "Be vigilant before bringing back used furniture and mattresses. Be sure to thoroughly inspect and clean these items before installing them in your home."
– "If you think you have been bitten by bedbugs: at home, wash your clothes immediately after removing the suitcase. Wash your suitcase, depending on its shape, in the washing machine, in the shower or in the bathtub . "
Other data to remember, avoid accumulating objects in your home. This will decrease the number of places where bedbugs can hide. If you buy used clothes, wash them at at least 60 ° C. In addition, you can put bedbug-proof covers on your mattresses, box springs and pillows to create an additional protective barrier against bedbugs.
How to eradicate them?
First of all, avoid scattering them, do not throw away furniture that you think is infested, and do not move anything at the risk of making the situation worse or contaminating the neighbors. Get a vacuum cleaner to capture eggs and insects. However, the vacuum cleaner does not kill them, so they can come out a few hours later, for example. Remember to clean the vacuum cleaner duct. Dispose of the wrapped bag in an outdoor garbage can. Machine wash all your clothes, pillows and linens (over 55 ° C to kill insects). Steam cleaning at 120 ° C can destroy all stages of bedbugs in nooks and upholstery areas.