• last year
Bedbugs are six-legged insects that can be the bane of any household. A recent outbreak of infestations in the French capital of Paris saw social media light up as fears of it spreading to other countries and cities like London spread.

But is the panic entirely justified? How long have bedbugs thrived across the world? And what happens if you are unfortunate enough to find the blood-suckers? In this Decomplicated, we take a look under the microscope at bedbugs and what you can do to prevent them.

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Transcript
00:00 An insect has France in a national panic.
00:02 Paris is gripped by fears of an infestation of bed bugs.
00:07 Panic has taken over the streets.
00:09 Well, bedrooms of Paris recently.
00:13 But are we really in danger of a bed bug invasion?
00:16 This is Decomplicated.
00:19 What are bed bugs?
00:22 Bed bugs are small insects with six legs
00:25 and can be red, brown, or yellow.
00:28 There's over 90 different species of bed bug,
00:31 though the common bed bug has adapted best
00:33 to human environments.
00:36 According to pest control service Terminix,
00:38 they mature in about 45 days, and their average lifespan
00:42 is 7 to 12 months.
00:44 The term bed bug is a bit misleading, though.
00:47 As well as mattresses, they can also
00:49 be found on clothing, furniture, as well as a growing number
00:53 on trains and buses.
00:56 How do you know if you have bed bugs?
00:59 The most obvious way you'll know if you have bed bugs
01:02 is if you're bitten by one.
01:03 They're usually raised and itchy,
01:05 and bites tend to be in a line or grouped together.
01:09 Other signs may be spots of blood on bedding
01:12 when they've been squashed, or small brown spots, which
01:15 is bed bug poo, across beds and furniture.
01:19 Can bed bugs travel?
01:22 Travelers can easily pick up the pests
01:24 when using public transport and staying in shared accommodation,
01:27 for example, in hotels and dormitories.
01:31 The critters hide in luggage, overnight bags, clothes,
01:35 bedding, and furniture.
01:37 Often, it's their eggs that are transported.
01:41 If bitten by a bed bug, are you in danger?
01:45 Bites can be itchy and sometimes swell,
01:48 but usually clear up on their own in about a week or so.
01:51 You can help reduce the effects by putting something cool,
01:55 like a damp cloth, on the area, keeping the affected area clean,
01:59 not scratching the bites.
02:02 Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, is possible but rare.
02:06 If the bites remain painful, swollen, or itchy
02:09 after trying treatments, you should consult your GP.
02:13 How do you get rid of bed bugs?
02:15 Bed bugs are very resilient, but there
02:18 are things you can do to get rid of them.
02:20 Wash contaminated items on a hot wash for at least 30 minutes.
02:24 Then put the clothing or bedding in a plastic bag
02:27 and put it in the freezer for three or four days.
02:30 Bed bugs can thrive in both clean and dirty places,
02:33 but regular cleaning of your home will always help.
02:36 To prevent bed bugs, avoid clutter around beds
02:40 and check any secondhand furniture
02:42 before taking it into your home.
02:44 Are we really in danger of infestation?
02:47 Bed bugs have always been a problem
02:49 and can be found across the UK, particularly in cities.
02:53 There was a decrease during the pandemic
02:55 as people were traveling less.
02:56 But what's happening now could merely
02:58 be returning to previous levels of infestation,
03:01 coupled with Paris hosting a number of global events
03:04 recently.
03:05 So while we may feel more anxious and alert
03:07 to the threat, the truth is bed bugs
03:11 have always lived amongst us.
03:14 [MUSIC PLAYING]
03:17 (gentle music)
03:19 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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