It’s a nightmare come true for 11% of the French population between 2017 and 2022: bedbugs, according to estimates from the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) . While the testimonies of victims of this pest in Paris cinemas are legion, caution is at its peak in public spaces. So what about public transport, from the metro to the plane, including the train? We questioned the SNCF to find out its protocol for combating bedbugs.
Has a TGV been infested with bedbugs?
Could the train be infested with bedbugs? This is evidenced by a tweet posted on September 19, 2023 on X (formerly Twitter, editor’s note) and viewed 4.5 million times. He mentions the presence of bedbugs in a TGV leaving from Gare de l’Est in Paris. What is it really ? Current wife asked the question to the SNCF.
“To date, we have not had any confirmed presence of bedbugs on our TGVs in recent months“, the SNCF confirmed to us, adding to stay”particularly vigilant“and take”every report seriously“.
In order to avoid any infestation of pests (cockroaches, ants, bed fleas, etc.) in its TGV trains, the SNCF specifies that it follows a preventive treatment every 60 days maximum. The railway company explains that it carries out thorough cleaning, the installation of specific traps as well as gels against pests in areas not accessible to customers, but also the spraying of insecticide in all cars and, if necessary, the installation of diatom powder. in areas of humidity.
A precise protocol in the event of an infestation
In the event of an isolated report, the SNCF curative treatment protocol consists of treating the train in depth and repeating the operation described above.every 15 days for a minimum of one month“with a check of the train every week. If the presence of pests is more significant, the train is taken out of commercial service and undergoes intensive treatments during”3 and 5 days in general“until the pests disappear. The train is then monitored and controlled”every week during the month following its return to commercial service“.
Could these be bedbugs on your trains? @SNCFVoyageurs @SNCFConnect ????? pic.twitter.com/NyJKrdtvy0
— Dana Del Rey (@DanaShaam) September 18, 2023
ANSES recommendations for bedbugs
In July 2023, ANSES drafted a step-by-step methodology for managing infestations:
- Identify the presence of bedbugs “by establishing a definitive diagnosis“
- Determining the level of infestation on a scale of 1 to 6
- Act against bedbugs
- Assess the effectiveness of this fight (by reassessing the level of infestation)
- If the infestation persists : call on pest control professionals to implement chemical control even though there are proven health risks.
- Keep yourself regularly informed of recommendations “to avoid possible subsequent infestations“.
Read also :
⋙ Bedbugs: this tip to check if your hotel room is infested
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⋙ A bat came into my house: what should I do?