Ahead of Olympics, Paris and other French cities battle bedbug invasion

France has declared a virtual war on bedbugs, which have caused a nationwide panic after a sudden proliferation in countless homes and even moving trains.

Experts are blaming a surge in tourism and growing resistance to insecticides for the plague of bedbugs that has hit one city after another across France.

The French media is worried that the insectophobia could raise questions about health and safety during next year's Olympic Games.

Officials say the bedbugs have existed for decades but admit there have been more sightings now, particularly in recent weeks.

"Every late summer we see a big increase in bedbugs," BBC quoted Jean-Michel Berenger, an entomologist at Marseille's main hospital and France's leading expert, as saying.

"That is because people have been moving about over July and August, and they bring them back in their luggage. Each year, the seasonal increase is bigger than the last one."

Paris flats

In Paris, one in 10 flat-dwellers have experienced bedbugs in the last five years, according to official figures.

They have been seen in cinemas, worrying both movie viewers and theatre owners.

Parisians have also reported seeing the bugs under the seats in Paris Metro trains as well as national high-speed trains.

Such is the fear that many commuters prefer to stand that sit on possibly infected seats.

President Emmanuel Macron's government is demanding action, knowing that Paris’ image cannot be muddied ahead of the 2024 games.

Experts are asking people not to panic as the bugs can bite but they do not transmit any disease. Of course, their collective, crawling sight can be revolting.

The infection has, however, led to good business for companies which specialize in treating insect infestations.

National problem

A media report said Parisians shell out an average of $500 to have their homes treated if they discover the tiny bugs.

"Bedbugs are a public health issue and should be declared as such," Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Grégoire said, asking the government to put together an action plan to address the problem at a national level.