Bed bugs common in most cities

The move into autumn has reportedly seen a rise in bed bugs which have become very common in most French and UK cities.

Bed bugs are unable to fly and are often carried inside clothing and luggage by people on holiday.

They are a major problem for hoteliers, guesthouse owners and holiday rentals with bed infestations common and no easy way to get rid of them.

It takes about seven weeks on average before an infestation is discovered and often the first sign people get is there may be bloodstains on bed linen with a smell of almonds in the room.

Reddish-brown and about the size of a lentil, bugs can drink up to seven times their own weight in human blood. They do not transmit disease but can cause intense itching.

Earlier this year thousands of residents in Marseille complained of bug bites and many decided to throw out bedding and mattresses.

It will cost between €100 to €300 to bring in a company to decontaminate a house, depending on size but pesticides may not be 100% effective as the bugs have become resistant.

Bugs are usually found on beds and bedlinen and a first step would be try a pyrethroid-based spray then vacuum right down to the bed frame and wash sheets and pillow cases in a 60°C wash and tumble-dry.

Mattresses pose a different problem and should be well- vacuumed across the whole surface plus stitching and the dust bag thrown out. Use a steam cleaner to direct heat into creases and stitching in the mattress.