According to a flurry of news stories and TikTok videos, a plague of bedbugs has overtaken Paris. These tiny, highly transferable pests have been spotted in homes, hotels and holiday rentals across the French capital, as well as on public transport and in movie theatres, leading to mass panic. What's more, visitors to the city are inadvertently bringing these stubborn bugs back to their own homes, which has reportedly led to a bedbug rise in the UK. Click or scroll on for the full story...
It's thought that the Paris pandemic is due to an uptick in travel, however, Jean-Michel Berenger, France's leading expert on bedbugs, told the BBC: "Every late summer we see a big increase in bedbugs. That is because people have been moving about over July and August, and they bring them back in their luggage. And each year, the seasonal increase is bigger than the last." In fact, according to official statistics, one in 10 flat-dwellers in Paris has experienced bedbugs in the last five years. And it isn't just Paris...
Due to the fact that bedbugs can be carried on our clothing and in our suitcases, other French cities, including Marseille, have seen an increase in these problematic pests. What's more, thanks to the Eurostar link between Paris and London, bedbugs are on the rise in Britain. In fact, in September 2023 pest control company Rentokil reported a 65% year-on-year increase in infestations across the UK. So, what are bedbugs and how can you get rid of them?
A common household pest, bedbugs are tiny insects that feed on blood, leaving people with bites and rashes. Martin Seeley of MattressNextDay suggests: “These resilient pests, capable of concealing themselves within various surfaces, exhibit a particular love for upholstered furniture such as headboards and chairs." Unfortunately, bedbugs can survive up to 18 months without food and experts have warned that they are becoming "increasingly resistant" to pesticides, making them harder to remove.
Prolific breeders, bedbugs typically lay between 200 and 500 eggs over a two-month period, in batches of 10 to 50. Eggs can often hide in the crevices of furnishings and what's more, bedbugs will happily hitch a ride on your clothes, which means you could easily transport them from an infested location to your home. You could also introduce them to your home through second-hand furniture that has been infected. “More than half of Brits (55%) would consider buying second-hand furniture," says Martin Seeley. "However, this growing trend comes with a cautionary note, as the increased trade in second-hand furniture also correlates with a rise in bedbug infestations."
Since prevention is better than cure, there are certain things you can do to help reduce the chances of bedbugs entering your home. If you travel somewhere, consider leaving your luggage far away from any upholstered surfaces until you have a chance to inspect it and clean your clothing. If you're planning on buying second-hand furniture, ensure you thoroughly examine it before bringing it inside. As well as visible bugs and eggs, a strong odour and blood stains can both be a sign of bedbugs. Regularly cleaning your mattress, letting it air once a week and washing your bedding at least once a week will help deter pests.
So, what do you do if you find yourself with a bedbug problem? Well, Rentokil suggests that you will likely need professional help: "Even though there are DIY options to help reduce the numbers of bedbugs, these are unlikely to eradicate an established infestation completely." It recommends washing infested bedding at a minimum of 60°C for at least 90 minutes. If possible, place items in the tumble dryer for a minimum of 30 minutes. You could also vacuum your bed and any area near where you have spotted bedbugs. Heat from a steamer could also help. However, if the problem persists, then it’s time to call in the experts.
Read on for more expert tips on how to rid your home of other common household pests
No matter how generous a host you consider yourself, some household guests will never be welcome, so if your house has been infiltrated by some of these unwanted pests, be they rodents or insects, then click or scroll on and follow our advice to get rid of them as soon as possible...
If you have a pet, then there's always the risk of them bringing fleas into the home. According to the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), the most common type of flea in Britain is the cat flea, followed by the bird flea, then the dog flea. Although, frustratingly, dogs can temporarily play host to other fleas. Right now, Britain is facing a flea epidemic, with a new study finding that one in four cats carry the parasite. Enquiries relating to suspected flea infestations have increased by 47% in a year, according to recent data from Rentokil, and experts believe climate change is to blame.
The milder winters we've been experiencing in recent years have allowed the flea population to increase as they can survive by lying dormant in soft furnishings and carpets. "As the UK experiences warmer temperatures each year, flea eggs develop into adults much faster, putting 5 million homes at risk of an infestation," Flea Master explains. So, how can you tackle a flea infestation? The BPCA says the humble vacuum cleaner is your best weapon: "Vacuuming all areas will help remove any debris, eggs, larvae, pupae and adult fleas, but it is important to empty the vacuum or put the bag into an outside bin." Vacuuming also encourages adult fleas to hatch from their cocoons and makes them more vulnerable to insecticides. Remember to also wash all furnishings (cushions, blankets etc.) on a hot wash.
Silverfish are a type of wingless insect found across the globe. They get their name from their silvery, grey colouring and the fact that they move in a similar way to a fish. They have a tapered body, typically between 12 and 19 millimetres long, a prominent tail, six legs and two antennae. They are nocturnal, so they're most active at night, and they also move incredibly quickly. You might spot them in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room or cellar, since they love humidity and dark, damp spots.
Silverfish are attracted to sugar and starch, so they're often drawn to things like flour, oats and even books. "Soap, hair, dandruff and dust can also be food sources for silverfish, along with glue, clothing, silk, cotton and linen," reports Medical News Today. Luckily, though, they don't really pose a health risk and there are numerous ways to deal with them. Home remedies include placing cinnamon, dried cloves, salt or cedar oil in infected areas. For harsher antidotes, insecticides such as synergised pyrethrin and bifenthrin can be used. However, it's worth noting that silverfish can survive for a long time without eating, which means they might not immediately take the bait.
Earlier in 2023, parts of the western United States, notably Nevada, were overtaken by flightless, ground-dwelling insects known as Mormon crickets. We're talking thousands of these bugs blanketing major highways and even covering the façades of homes. Closely resembling a grasshopper, they're actually a type of shield-backed katydid and eat native grasses, shrubs and crops. Outbreaks are triggered by droughts, which are common in hot and dry states like Nevada. What's worse, killing them apparently leads to a smell "like fish or dog faeces".
This image shows the exterior of Nevada resident Colette Reynolds's home. She took to TikTok, to share horrifying videos of the insects invading her property. So, how can you deal with Mormon crickets? Well, Nevada locals have tried everything; from vinegar and bleach concoctions to power-washing them away, but to no avail. Instead, people are advised to erect a smooth fence around their garden, since Mormon crickets cannot walk up slick, vertical barriers. If one enters the home, they should be vacuumed into a disposable sealed bag. More advice can be found on the University of Nevada's website.
Who hasn't fallen victim to moth holes at some point in their lives? It's little wonder since moths love dark, undisturbed areas like wardrobes, where they can hide in the creases of your cashmere cardigan. And while adult moths don't eat clothing, their larvae do! According to Green Protect, year-on-year, the UK has seen a 250% increase in the number of searches for ‘how to get rid of moths,’ due in large part to increasing temperatures. To prevent moth invasions, it's essential that you practice good housekeeping, both in the bedroom and in the kitchen.
There's a direct correlation between moth damage and stained or dirty clothes, so keep them clean and regularly vacuum closets. Keep an eye out for larvae webs on material and wash clothes at temperatures of at least 50ºC to remove them. In the kitchen, avoid keeping products past their 'use by date' and if you use storage jars, check them regularly for infestations. Avoid pouring new products on top of old, too. Moths hate vetiver, a grass from South Asia, so tuck a bundle into a linen sachet and place it in a problem area. If your infestation is out of control, then it might be time to call in the experts.
Pest Control Direct describes woodlice as "harmless" but they are still not the most pleasant things to find inside your house and there is a chance they could damage wooden floors or furniture. Though they are more commonly found in gardens, occasionally woodlice end up inside, often coming in through windows or doors that are not sealed, or sometimes even coming up through the foundations.
As with many household pests, there are lots of sprays and powders on the market to deal with these critters but Pest Control Direct says a good first step is to cover up the places they are coming in, using things such as air vent covers. Apply some common sense, too – an innocuous pile of wood outside your back door may just be the breeding ground they are looking for and could even provide a stairway to an entrance.
Like woodlice, slugs and other slippery creatures in the gastropod family such as snails are more often found in gardens, and though they’re not particularly wanted in our gardens either – where they have a tendency to eat up all the plants – we definitely don’t want them inside our houses.
Since April 2022, there has been a ban on slug pellets containing metaldehyde, so some homeowners have switched to wool pellets instead. However, one of the best ways to stop them from getting in your home is to lay down copper tape, which deters them by giving them a small electric shock. Lots of gardeners use it round plant pots, but you could place it around places where you think they are getting in.
Once you get one ant in your house it sometimes feels as though they've called all their friends and family and told them to come too, which is actually quite close to the truth. Ants are very social and highly organised – once a foraging worker ant has found a big supply of food, he will let his colony know.
Putting away food as soon as it's finished and cleaning surfaces and floors of crumbs is one way of deterring ants. Some experts also suggest drawing chalk lines outside doors and windows as this affects ants' pheromones. It's thought coffee granules and spices may have the same effect. If all else fails, pick up an ant powder from the supermarket or hardware shop, but remember to keep it away from pets and children.
The telltale wall scratching or droppings of mice or – surely worse! – rats, are enough to instil terror in most of us. But with figures from the BPCA estimating that there are between 10.5 million and 120 million rats in the UK, there is a real risk that you could find one in your home. In the past, harsh winters managed rat populations naturally, but now populations are growing again.
When it comes to mice, Daniel Neves of pest controllers Inoculand Ltd suggests canary seed bait for traps. "Wholewheat bait is not very appetising for mice in comparison," he says. "There are also formulations in the form of a paste contained in a tube for caulk sealant guns, and Talon Soft and Sakarat D are two good examples." Mouse traps should not be used for rats – if you have the latter, it's time to call pest control.
Recognised by their long pincers at the end of their body, the RSPB says that earwigs are largely nocturnal creatures who seek out "dark cracks and crevices to rest during the day". They are not poisonous and despite their name, highly unlikely to enter a human ear, but they are drawn to damp areas and most of us wouldn't want to share our bathroom with them.
With earwigs prone to warm, damp areas, investing in a humidifier that will encourage them to stay away is one humane treatment and should also deter other little critters, like beetles and cockroaches, that like similar environments.
Even if you’re not an arachnophobic and spiders don’t fill you with fear, the chances are you don’t want them spoiling your cosy night in by crawling over the sofa on film night. And with false black widow spiders, you could end up with a nasty bite, too! They're relatively small in size and have a shiny black globular body, similar to the deadly black widow spider. You'll normally spot their loose tangle of webbing around window and door frames.
While the old glass over a piece of cardboard trick works for many, wouldn't it be nice if you just didn't have to bother with them at all? According to Empire Pest Control, the smell of mint and pepper is a natural deterrent to spiders and may also work on ants, mosquitoes, moths and possibly even bedbugs. The trick is to vacuum well first to get rid of any that may already be in the house. Other scented plants like rosemary and basil may also work.
Wasps are the outdoor pest that turns a perfectly lovely picnic into the stuff of nightmares, and being stung by one is no laughing matter either. So when they invade our homes – often coming in through open doors and windows in summer – it feels like they are really taking the biscuit.
When it's just the odd one coming in then you can usually keep them at bay by opening windows and swatting them back outside, but when you have a wasps nest, it's a whole different problem. According to Rentokil, large wasp nests can contain up to 25,000 wasps, so if you see something like this outside a window, in a wall cavity or loft, call the professionals in immediately.
Staying true to their name, fruit flies tend to be drawn to over-ripe or fermenting fruits lying in fruit bowls, where they quickly lay their eggs, so it doesn't take long for an infestation to get out of hand. It's also worth noting they can also be found near dirty drains and around other food left out.
As with anything, prevention is key. Placing a cover over your fruit bowl – especially in summer months – should keep them off to a large extent but you should also be vigilant and get rid/use up any fruit that is on the turn. There are also fruit fly traps on the market or you could make your own – put some apple cider vinegar in a bowl, cover it with plastic film, pierce a few small holes in it (big enough to get in but they shouldn't be able to get out), and you have your own DIY trap.
Cockroaches are horrid critters that no one wants to find inside their home, yet they have been the bane of human homes for a very long time indeed. In fact, there is evidence cavemen had to put up with them – and it’s said that when the apocalypse comes they will be one of the few things to survive. They love warm, dark spaces so can often be found under appliances or in food cupboards where they can feast on food debris and sometimes even in sofas.
The BPCA says it recommends employing a pest controller to deal with a cockroach infestation, who will use dusts, baits and sprays, as well as deal with any potential shelters. There are, of course, lots of other tips doing the rounds on social media, including washing up liquid and water sprayed on affected areas, or peppermint oil. One way of killing cockroaches without using harsh chemicals is to mix three parts Borax with one part sugar and apply it to the areas where you've seen them.
The larvae of wood boring beetle, there's very little to like about woodworm, and Rentokil says that the key to stopping them before they cause "irreparable damage to your property" is to identify them early. Rentokil also advises: "If left untreated, woodworm can seriously weaken timber – this may lead to structural failure in your property."
Keep an eye on woodwork and wood furnishings in your home – antique pieces, favourite tables and chairs and doorframes, for signs such as crumbling wood, bore dust, tunnels in wood and exit holes. You may even spot the larvae themselves or beetles. Rentokil suggests booking a survey with one of its experts if you see any of the above.
If there is one sight certain to put you off your food, it's the sight of wriggling maggots in your kitchen. While maggots are usually the larvae of flies, it's not always the case, so try to look out for adults of the larvae to assess what you are dealing with – as it could also be a sign of beetles, moths, or fleas.
The best way to keep maggots away is to keep your home clean of rotting food – including the dustbin. A solution of three parts white vinegar to one part water should kill the maggots you have found, and then deal with the flies. Readers Digest quotes Nicholas Martin, founder and editor-in-chief of Pest Control Hacks, as saying basil is a great deterrent for flies. “Flies hate basil very much, so they don’t try to get closer to objects surrounded by basil plants,” he says.
These tiny beetles are sometimes referred to as flour beetles – as they are often drawn to flour or grains – or snout beetles due to their appearance. If you find these in your home, it's highly likely they've come in via some foodstuff you've bought, so if you can identify the offending item, return it to the store and complain. Next, destroy the food and get ready for a deep clean.
Clear out the cupboards where the offending item was stored and make sure you give the cupboard and the floor around it a good vacuum. Once you have finished vacuuming, take the bag outside to the bin and empty it to prevent any stray weevils from coming back in and then clean the worktops and other surfaces.
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