THEY silently invade your home and hide in your bed, laying dormant until it is time to feast… and they are on the rise in the Island.
Pest controllers in Jersey have reported a “major” increase in bedbugs this year, amid concerns over a surge of infestations in France and the UK.
A significant outbreak of the bloodsucking insects in Paris made national headlines in recent weeks, while pest control company Rentokil has said it saw a 65% jump in cases of bedbugs across the UK in the second quarter of 2023 compared with a year earlier.
The developments have also prompted public health officials in Guernsey to offer advice to islanders there on how to spot the small insects, which often live on furniture or bedding.
Frank Raimbault, of Absolute Pest Control, told the JEP that he had dealt with more bedbug jobs in Jersey in the past five months “than the past five years”.
“People are spreading them in bigger rates than before,” he added, citing increases in post-Covid travel and slightly warmer weather due to climate change as some of the factors responsible.
“People do their best [to get rid of them] but generally it is advisable to get a professional service in.”
Commuters in London have also become fearful of bedbugs on the underground, with national paranoia being stirred by social media videos showing the insects crawling over seats.
Mr Raimbault added: “I was in London recently on the tube and there were far more people standing up than usual.”
Nick Alderson, of Pestokill, said he had also seen a “major” increase in bedbugs this year.
“They can stay dormant for a year and as soon as the temperature comes up they come out and multiply,” he explained.
Commenting on how difficult bedbugs are to eradicate, he said: “It depends on how large the infestation is, as most of our clients call us and nip it in the bud early on.”
Hoteliers in the UK and France have reportedly spent thousands of pounds on finding and destroying bedbugs, with operations including the use of specially trained dogs that can locate them in furniture and bedding.
Marcus Calvani, the co-chief executive of the Jersey Hospitality Association, said: “Although we’ve been watching this story develop in France and the UK, it’s not been raised as an issue by any of our members that provide guest accommodation. Naturally, we are hopeful that it’s limited to the locations being reported but, as is the case in most destinations, standards of hygiene and cleanliness are taken extremely seriously by our members, who follow best-practice guidelines to ensure stays by visitors are memorable for the right reasons.”
Advice for dealing with bedbugs
Do:
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Wash affected bedding and clothing on a hot wash (60˚C) and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes.
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Put affected clothing and bedding in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for three or four days.
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Clean and vacuum regularly – bedbugs are found in both clean and dirty places, but regular cleaning will help you spot them early.
Don’t:
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Keep clutter around your bed.
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Bring secondhand furniture indoors without carefully checking it first.
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Take luggage or clothing indoors without checking it carefully if you have come from somewhere where you know there were bedbugs.
