Paris Bed Bug infestation: How to tell the difference between theirs and mosquito bites?

Paris is in chaos. If you thought COVID brought paranoia then you’d be surprised by what bed bugs are currently doing. All across the capital and the country overall, French citizens have reported sightings of bed bugs in cinemas, metros and high-speed trains.

It seems like no one is safe and now we are wondering if the Paris invasion could travel. Indeed, we know after COVID that international travel doesn’t help in containing a health crisis.

So could the tiny creatures make their way to the UK? And how do you know if you’ve been bitten? Lucky for you, we have answers.

Bed bugs on trains

Let's start with the bad news: yes, bed bugs could potentially make their way to the UK. French citizens or people traveling through France are still allowed to cross the border. Moreover, we know that bed bugs have been seen on high-speed trains across France and, unfortunately, the UK and France share one of them: the Eurostar.

But we also have good news: Eurostar has officially demanded a deep clean of their trains in order to prevent the spread of bed bugs. It is reported that Eurostar is increasing ‘preventative treatments’ in its trains. A spokesperson of the company told The Independent:

The safety and wellbeing of our customers is always our number one priority and the presence of insects such as bedbugs on our trains is extremely rare. The textile surfaces on all of our trains are cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis and this involves hot-water injection and extraction cleaning, which has proven highly effective in eliminating bugs.

Hopefully, plane companies follow Eurostar’s lead because only cleaning trains will not be enough to keep bed bugs out of the UK.

How to recognise a bed bug bite?

Humans are often the victims of blood-sucking insects. In the summer it is very common for us to be bitten by mosquitoes and spiders. Even more unlucky for us humans is the fact that bed bug bites can sometimes look like skin irritation.

According to Healthline, while a mosquito bite and a bed bug bite can look similar at first there are key differences.

Bed bug bites are itchier

The health magazine explains that bed bug bites are ‘very itchy and irritating’ and that the itching is ‘usually worse in the morning’.

Bed bugs like easy access to skin

Another key difference is the location of the bites. Bed bugs will usually bite where skin gets in contact with the infested area. For instance, if you sit on a train seat infested while wearing shorts, your legs will be bitten. Mosquitoes, on the other hand can definitely bite through clothing. Bed bugs also can get under your clothes but they usually prefer easy access.

Bed bugs bites are grouped

Finally, bed bug bites will usually be grouped. These bites will appear in the form of straight lines or groups of three or more bites. It is however very rare for mosquito bites to be found in a line. Yes a mosquito can bite you several times but they tend to space their bites across your body.

Mosquito and bed bugs bites - reaction time

The biggest difference between mosquito and bed bug bites is the reaction time. A mosquito bite will appear almost immediately and be very itchy. However, a bed bug bite doesn’t always cause visible signs. Even worse, Healthline and testimonies reveal that bed bug bites can show up ‘hours or days’ after the biting took place.

For reference, this is a mosquito bite:

This is how a bed bug bites:

Read more:

⋙ 3 revolting signs you have bedbugs and how to prevent them

⋙ The best tips to protect yourself from mosquitoes, according to science

⋙ The food you eat could be the reason you attract mosquitoes and why their bites itch

Sources:

The Independent: Eurostar orders deep clean to stop bedbugs from Paris crossing Channel to London

Healthline: How to Tell Whether You Were Bitten by a Bedbug or Mosquito

NHS