Bed bugs infestations on rise in France: how to protect yourself

Reported cases of bed bug infestations in France surged by 50% in June compared with June 2024, according to a joint detection industry study.

The rise is linked to increased travel and the warm weather, both of which favour the spread and reproduction of the small blood-feeding insects. 

The report is not publicly available but is widely cited in the French press. However, no official numbers of bed bug infestations are available as the French public health body does not track them.

The 5-7mm reddish brown bugs leave itchy bites but are not known to spread diseases to humans. The recommended way to kill them is by washing sheets at high temperatures (over 49C) or using a steam cleaner.

The steam devices are available to rent for around €50 to €100 a day from DIY outlets. You can find one by searching for nettoyeurs à vapeur punaise location.

Summer outbreak due to travel and warm weather

“People travel more in summer, staying in hotels and using public transport. This circulation allows bed bugs to spread easily,” said the president of the dog detection body Syndicat des experts en détection canine des punaises de lit (SEDCPL) Sébastien Pizzocaro. SEDCL and the environmental health association Prosane were joint authors of the study.

Although infestations have risen sharply since June, the number of confirmed cases between January and June was down by 26% year-on-year, despite a 68% increase in diagnostic inspections. 

Experts attribute this to growing public awareness and more proactive checks, particularly in the hotel sector.

Hotels, historically at high risk, are now seen as a model of best practice - in part due to changes introduced after a widely publicised outbreak of bed bugs in Paris during the autumn and winter of 2023 as the city prepared to host the 2024 Olympic games.

Targeted prevention protocols introduced in recent years have led to infestations in this sector falling threefold, the study claims. 

Other sectors such as social housing and student residences could benefit from similar approaches.

The regions most affected remain the south-east, the Paris area, and Lyon. By contrast, cases have dropped in Brittany and Occitanie, although no clear explanation has been given.

Despite improved vigilance and better technical expertise among pest control professionals, the prospect of eliminating bed bugs entirely remains remote. 

“We still have entire neighbourhoods that act as reservoirs,” said Mr Pizzocaro. “People carry bugs to workplaces, hospitals, even fire stations. We are far from seeing a true decline.”

Nonetheless, the summer spike is natural since bed bugs reproduce faster in hot weather, while tourism helps them spread. 

However, the rise in professional intervention is also evidence of more routine control rather than uncontrolled outbreaks.

Anyone noticing bites or other warning signs – such as black spots on bedding – is advised to seek professional help without delay. Early detection is key to containing infestations, which can otherwise prove costly and persistent.

According to the study, a full-scale national decontamination effort could run into “hundreds of millions of euros”.

To reduce the risk of bringing bed bugs home from holidays, travellers are advised to inspect beds and luggage racks on arrival, avoid placing clothes on the floor, and wash clothing at high temperatures upon return.