Everywhere I looked this month there were headlines about Paris being overrun by Bed Bugs.

Bedbug panic sweeps Paris as infestations soar before 2024 Olympics – BBC

Expert tips for travelers to avoid pests in wake of Paris bedbug infestation – ABC

Paris is infested with bedbugs: Can they fly home with you? An expert explains – NBC

Paris suffering severe bedbug outbreak – CBS

City of Light or City of Bites? France Tries to Ease Bedbug Anxiety. – NY Times

Paris Is Dealing with a Massive Bed Bug Outbreak — and the Pests Have Even Infested Trains and Busses – People Magazine

Bedbug fears grip Paris as French minister pledges action – CNBC

and even my Facebook / Instagram feed. All were warning about Paris’s bed bug problem, might be twice as bad as NYC’s bed bug crisis ever was, and trying to divvy out advice.

Bell Environmental has been solving bed bug problems for decades and are well known as a leader in bed bug detection and treatment.  So here are a few a few thoughts that are a little different than we’ve read elsewhere. While Rick and Ilsa will always have the memory of Paris (cue Sam singing “You must remember this…”)   – the more relevant concern that what happens in Paris doesn’t stay in Paris. (FYI – Las Vegas has a big bed bug problem too.)

Whether or not travelers realize they had itchy encounters in the City of Blinding Lights, (cue The Devil Wears Prada montage) Bed Bugs are notorious hitchhikers.

They could be on the Paris subway, at Fashion Week, your hotel, or even your plane on the way home.  These insects do not wear berets, and would look silly scurrying around the catwalk during Paris Fashion Week.  And yes, we said, they may follow you home. Judging from our numerous calls and panicked client emails (among them):

“We returned from Paris last weekend and 2 days after returning and unpacking all our stuff we heard about the bed bug outbreak there. We’ve tried to take precautions since then but had already unpacked everything so there was only so much we could do. We don’t have any bites and have inspected everything but are still concerned. I didn’t sleep last night and just felt itchy. We did find one tiny bug….. what can be done?”

we know you’re concerned. So what should you do?

Our advice? Enjoy vacation – and not to worry about bed bugs. Really!

Bell Environmental is happy to share good precautionary advice () and provide a ways to take Roscoe’s Bed Bug Prevention Tips with you.

If you’re concerned that an insect that is the size of an apple seed and hides really well, snuck through customs, into the seam of your suitcase, or in a coat pocket, then call Bell and Roscoe. Bell Environmental’s trained canines can detect problems right away so your travels remain pleasant memories.  Our InstantFreeze is safe to treat your laptops and personal items where bed bugs can and do hide.

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