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Columnist The Washington Post Lee Hockstader: Why Paris is bugging out over ‘punaises de lit’.
Paris, a city known for its grace, is in the grip of fear over bedbugs. These pests, while not uncommon, have sparked alarm in this tourist hotspot. There have been about 50 reported sightings of bedbugs in the Paris Metro, though none were confirmed. Pest services indicate that many calls are either about other pests or preventive measures.
This paranoia has spread to the UK. Concerns arise that the Eurostar train, running from Paris to London, may inadvertently transport the bugs. A spike in bedbug Google searches in the UK and social media buzz reinforce this worry.
New York had its share of pest issues, from cockroaches to the recent invasion of spotted lanternflies. Venice combats aggressive pigeons with falconers like Axel. Paris has always been home to rats, which locals like Sabine now accept. However, bedbugs have a different reception. The media paints an alarming picture, possibly impacting the upcoming Olympics in France. The French government is considering a national surveillance center, closing schools that report infestations, and taking dire measures against the issue. Mathilde Panot, a French deputy, emphasized the urgency by displaying a vial of bedbugs and advocating for a national disinfection service.
New York faced a similar bedbug hysteria in 2010, affecting even places like Google’s headquarters. The current anxiety in France, possibly fueled by media frenzy, may prove to be a transient concern.
Sacha Krief from Hygiene Premium, a pest control service in Paris, mentioned a business uptick. He speculates that events like the Paris Fashion Week and Rugby World Cup could’ve brought more bugs. The surge in clients seeking bedbug information or treatment has risen in the past few months. Media and the rise of secondhand clothing might also play a role. For Krief, this panic has a silver lining, offsetting slow business during the covid years.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/10/11/paris-bedbugs-panic/
