Bed bug enquiries to Wiltshire Council rise after Paris infestation

The authority say the critters are 'thankfully rare' here

Author: Jessica Moriarty, Local Democracy ReporterPublished 13th Oct 2023

Wiltshire Council say they've received more enquiries in the last few weeks related to bedbugs.

Councillor Nick Holder, cabinet member for public protection, said that the county had not seen an increase in reports of the insects, and believes the questions are related to press stories.

The concerns come after the pests were reported in schools, trains, hospitals and cinemas in Paris.

There are fears the infestation may have spread to the UK.

Cllr Nick Holder said:

“Bedbugs are thankfully rare but can be tricky to treat as they can survive for up to a year without feeding and like to hide in dark corners and crevices such as bedframes and skirting boards.

“Often the first sign you have a problem will be bites or small blood spots around bedframes where the bedbugs have squeezed into a small gap.

“Anyone who notices blood spots or small crawling insects and thinks they may have a problem with bedbugs should not leave the problem as that will make it harder to treat.

“Professional pest treatment will be needed to get the problem under control. The council has a pest team who carry out competitively priced treatments within the Wiltshire area and can treat bedbugs.”

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