Insider's Guide: Unraveling the Infamous 'Paris Bedbug Bedlam'

David A. Andelman, a CNN contributor and recipient of the Deadline Club Award, is a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. He is the author of "A Red Line in the Sand: Diplomacy, Strategy, and the History of Wars That Might Still Happen" and maintains a blog on SubStacks called Andelman Unleashed. Previously, he worked as a foreign correspondent for The New York Times and as a Paris correspondent for CBS News. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own and can be found on CNN.

My spouse and I reside in a cozy garret apartment in Paris which our French friends affectionately refer to as our "La Bohème retreat." Located in the fashionable 7th arrondissement, we are conveniently situated near the Musée d'Orsay, with the Maison of the Legion of Honor just a short distance away. Across the street, you'll spot the former headquarters of the French Socialist Party, now transformed into the main hub of the French perfume industry.

David Andelman

A few months ago, there was a brief period where we suspected having bedbugs. It wasn't surprising, considering the current obsession with them in Paris. It all began with the rats, and then there was the heavily polluted Seine just two blocks down our street. The condition of the river is so dire that it may pose a challenge to hold swimming events there during the upcoming Olympic games in Paris next year.

Conquering the bedbug infestation in the city could prove to be an immense challenge, even comparable to an Olympic task. The prevalence of bedbugs is so widespread that emergency meetings are being held by the French government this week, with an inter-ministerial meeting scheduled for Friday to address this menace.

Additionally, the deputy mayor of Paris has reached out to Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, possibly still concerned about her handling of the rat infestation which only saw improvement after the end of the national garbage collectors strike. Borne, however, has stated that the government remains resolute in its efforts to tackle bedbugs, including finding long-term solutions and providing assistance to those affected.

People are highly concerned about the apparent presence of bedbugs. Some commuters on the Metro have resorted to standing instead of sitting due to fears of bedbugs on the subway seats, considering that around 5 million passengers rely on this system daily.

According to a survey conducted by the French government, approximately 11% of all French households have reported experiencing a bedbug infestation between 2017 and 2022. Although these insects are unable to fly, they can still latch onto seats and even clothing, despite their preference for beds. This issue is particularly significant at the moment, as Paris Fashion Week recently came to a close.

Reuters

French health minister reassures public: No bedbug invasion in the country, calls for calm among citizens. Predictably, the issue has sparked deliberations in the French National Assembly, exposing party divisions.

"The leader of the far-left La France Insoumise party, Mathilde Panot, expressed her outrage and lamented the loss of six years due to the presence of bedbugs, which she referred to as a "scourge." Panot addressed a crowded Parliament, emphasizing the urgent need to acknowledge bedbugs as a public health concern. She firmly stated that it is essential to cease the practice of expecting individuals to handle the issue on their own, in response to the prime minister's announcement of an inter-ministerial meeting on the matter."

The prime minister appeared to be adopting the strategies of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. Amidst the nationwide strikes causing the rat population to multiply due to the accumulation of garbage on the streets, the mayor established a committee to explore ways in which Parisians and rats could coexist.

However, this responsibility now fell upon her deputy, Emmanuel Gregoire, who urged Borne to spearhead a strong government initiative. "Given that France is set to host the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2024, it is imperative that the state promptly implements an action plan to address this problem."

Gregoire, by the way, was the appointed Hidalgo who swam in the Seine in July last year to disprove the widespread fears that it was still a sewer.

Hidalgo and other officials remain optimistic that the Seine will be suitable for swimming by the opening of the Olympics next July. However, there is no indication that a high-level government committee can come up with a workable solution to the issue of bedbugs.

Already, theyve been spotted in cinemas, at Charles de Gaulle Airport, especially on public transport, and have been widely photographed in social media.

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In Paris, France, on July 17, 2023, an empty boat is seen traveling along the river Seine during a technical test event for the Paris 2024 opening ceremony. The iconic Eiffel Tower can be seen in the background. This event is significant as, on July 26, 2024, the Summer Olympic Games will witness an unprecedented change. For the first time in history, the opening ceremony will not be held in a stadium. Instead, the parade of athletes will take place on the Seine, with each national delegation represented by a boat. The parade will proceed from east to west along a 6 km route, culminating at the Trocadéro, where the remaining aspects of the Olympic protocol and final shows will be carried out. The provided image is credited to Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images.

According to Jean-Michel Berenger, a prominent bedbug expert in France, these pests can survive for months or even a year without feeding. The spread of bedbugs has been ongoing for several years, with a slight decrease during the lockdown period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there has been a recent increase in bedbug infestations over the past two years due to the resurgence of tourism and people's desire to have a good time. This has raised concerns not only among Paris locals but also among others regarding the Olympic plans in the city.

Bedbugs have been a persistent issue during the past week at Fashion Week in Paris, which is considered a prestigious event in the city. It is surprising to see these blood-sucking insects even in the esteemed locations such as Avenue Montaigne or the fashion shows of Chanel or Dior.

Mayra Peralta, the fashion and beauty editor for EnVi Media, shared on Twitter that one of her friends, who is an editor, witnessed bedbugs at a high-end restaurant. Her colleagues have also been sharing their own alarming experiences with these pests.

Bedbugs are now costing $250 million annually, posing a significant challenge to eliminate. Interestingly, they do not discriminate based on income, as noted in a French government report.

In a typical bureaucratic fashion, the Insoumise party suggested a solution that appears to be insufficient. They propose a new law mandating home insurance policies to include coverage against bedbug infestations.

A party spokesperson justified the necessity of the new law, citing that numerous individuals abandon their efforts to undertake adequate preventive measures due to the excessively high cost of treatment or improper handling of the issue. While this solution may alleviate the problem in the future, it does not address the ongoing outbreak.

Therefore, what measures is Paris currently taking in response to this issue? Some treatments are effective, but several officials advocate for a prohibition on chemical treatments, while fumigation can be both costly and disruptive.

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In an email on Monday evening, my landlady confidently stated, "There are no bedbugs on Rue de Solferino (unless you've brought them in with your luggage)."

Denial can only get you so far. The age-old remedy for dealing with bedbugs, which dates back to the early days of Paris, remains effective.

These pests are highly responsive to temperature extremes. To eliminate them, wash your clothes in hot water. Vacuum your furniture and luggage thoroughly. Afterward, seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it without delay.

And, as always, keep a wary eye out for the next, inevitable infestation.