More than one in ten French homes was infested with bed bugs between 2017 and 2022, and this psychologically significant ordeal cost an average of 866 euros per dwelling. In a report published on Wednesday July 19, the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) reveals the extent of the public health problem posed by these insects which hide in mattresses during day, and come out at night to feed on human blood. The experts studied all the scientific literature on the subject and conducted a population survey. The rate of infestations is on the rise due to the boom in travel and a growing resistance of bedbugs to insecticides.
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“Contrary to popular belief, the presence of bedbugs does not reflect a lack of cleanliness: anyone can be the victim of an infestation in their home,” says the notice. However, risk factors have been identified: being young, active, living in a shared apartment, being a tenant. If the level of diploma and the socio-professional category do not affect the appearance of bedbugs, these factors can contribute to lengthening the duration of the infestation. ANSES therefore recommends working to set up a mandatory reporting mechanism and financially assist low-income families in the cost of pest control. She recalls the importance of intervening as quickly as possible.
Bedbugs become active at night, and search for their host by following the thermal and chemical stimuli – mainly CO2 – emitted by the latter. Then they gorge themselves on blood in about ten minutes and immediately return to take shelter. The bite causes inflammatory reactions on the skin, but the insect does not carry a pathogen. The psychological repercussions of an invasion are often very heavy. Sleep disorders, altered mood, nervousness, feelings of panic, hypervigilance, even delusional manifestations have been observed in particular in victims of bed bugs. Fear of being socially stigmatized is also common. ANSES estimates the total cost associated with the health burden attributable to bedbugs in France at around €83.5 million for the year 2019.
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If an infestation is suspected, the first step is to detect the presence of insects. It can be done by visual inspection by a trained professional or by passive and active traps. Scientists are also giving the green light to canine detection.
After evaluating the different strategies for controlling these pests, the working group concludes that none is effective on its own. “All these methods should be considered as a set of tools to be used in a suitable way according to the infested objects and the level of infestation of the habitat”, he writes. Dry heat (applied by a professional), steam, freezing, washing clothes at 60°C, drying them at more than 40°C for thirty minutes, as well as chemical treatment with synthetic silicon dioxide, present a high efficiency. For the latter, however, the risk to human health is qualified as “medium”. Very often used by private individuals, diatomaceous earth has an average effectiveness and can be toxic in the event of non-compliance with the conditions of use.
The agency recommends favoring mechanical and thermal control methods which may be sufficient, when the infestation is moderate, to overcome nocturnal hematophages. Currently offered as first-line insecticides, they are associated with risks of poisoning, environmental impacts and are ineffective due to the growing resistance of animals.
