Good night, sleep tight, and don't let "les punaises des lits" bite.

In recent months, the resurgence of bedbugs in Europe has been making headlines, sparking panic and prompting discussions. Though Paris has been the epicenter of this resurgence, this is not just a French problem; it's a regional and global issue.

Understanding the causes and effects of this unwelcome revival will be important to developing effective solutions.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CDC/ Donated by the World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, License: Public Domain
Bedbugs are small, reddish-brown parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals.

The Bedbug Threat

Bed bugs have been troubling humans for thousands of years, with historical mentions dating back to ancient Egypt.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human and animal blood, often during the night. They're drawn to us by the carbon dioxide we exhale and our body heat. While they are known for their itchy bites, the good news is that bedbugs do not transmit diseases to humans.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / AfroBrazilian, License: CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
They are called bedbugs because they are often found in and around beds and other areas where people sleep.

Bedbugs in Paris

Paris, a city renowned for its romance and charm, is currently grappling with a bedbug problem, reports Condé Nast Traveler. Viral videos, unverified sightings on the metro, trains, in cinemas, and at the airport have created a sense of alarm and panic in the city. The looming 2024 Summer Olympics has only intensified these fears, as large events with millions of attendees create perfect conditions for these bugs to spread.

A Global Resurgence Beyond Paris

While the bedbug panic in Paris is unsettling, it's essential to recognize that this resurgence isn't confined to the City of Light. In fact, bedbugs have been on the rise globally over the last two decades, impacting people across all walks of life, entomologist Jim Fredericks, senior vice president of public affairs at the U.S. National Pest Management Association, told CNBC. From Chicago to New York and beyond, these bloodsucking pests have been making an unwelcome comeback.

Photo: Cimex lectularius, face ventrale-26, Wikimedia Commons / Louis-Marie Poissant, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED
Bedbugs are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, which is why they often bite exposed skin while people are sleeping.

A Bedbug History: From Boom to Bust and Back Again

Bedbugs have experienced a turbulent history. According to Vox, in the 1800s, London hotels were so infested that guests were advised to get half-drunk just to sleep. They were notorious pests, and even whole buildings were incinerated to get rid of them. However, this changed in the 1940s with the widespread use of DDT, a powerful insecticide, the CDC reports. Bedbugs almost disappeared from developed nations. Unfortunately, this relief was temporary.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Piotr Naskrecki, License: Public Domain
The resurgence of bedbugs in recent years has been attributed to factors like increased international travel and pesticide resistance.

Why Bedbugs Are Thriving Now

The resurgence of bedbugs can be attributed to several factors, according to US Pharmacist:

1. Increased Urbanization: As more people flock to cities, especially in Europe, bedbugs have more densely packed, warm bodies to feast on.
2. Rise in Travel: As travel has become more accessible and common, these pests have more opportunities to spread. Horror stories of bedbugs in accommodations such as Airbnb have become alarmingly frequent.
3. Resistance to Pesticides: The most critical factor is their evolving resistance to pesticides. Bedbugs are now resistant to most major classes of insecticides, including the widely used pyrethroids. The same goes for DDT, a historic nemesis of these bugs.

Photo: Cimex lectularius, exuvie8, Wikimedia Commons / Louis-Marie Poissant, License: CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED
Early detection of bedbugs is crucial to prevent infestations from spreading.

Dealing with Bedbugs: Prevention and Solutions

Eradicating bedbugs can be challenging, but avoiding them is relatively simple.

1. Check Accommodations: When you stay in a hotel or Airbnb, inspect the mattress for reddish-brown bloodstains, an indicator of bedbugs, The Independent reports. You can also search for the bugs themselves; they are about the size of an apple seed.
2. Professional Help: If you encounter bedbugs in your home, do not attempt to treat them yourself. Seek professional pest control services immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to eliminate these pests, reports the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.
3. Treatment Methods: To eliminate bedbugs, methods like high-temperature treatments and fumigation with toxic chemicals can be effective, though they can be expensive.
4. Diatomaceous Earth (DE): DE, made of tiny diatom remains, is a natural and effective bedbug eradication method. The razor-sharp edges of DE grains can slice through bedbugs' exoskeletons, causing dehydration and death. Unlike commercial insecticides, bedbugs cannot develop immunity to DE as it exploits a physical flaw in the species' makeup.

Living with the Threat of Bedbugs

The bedbug issue is unlikely to vanish soon. Cheaper, effective solutions must be developed, or the cost of treatment must be subsidized, especially in low-income communities.

For now, the threat of bedbugs remains, a constant nuisance for many across Europe.

As we navigate our urban world, ever-expanding and interconnected, it's essential to stay vigilant and informed about these unwelcome roommates.