As bedbugs continue to be spotted in various parts of Paris, Irish people may be worried that they be next.

Bedbugs are parasitic insects that feed on human blood, usually when people are asleep, and are notorious for their ability to hitchhike and infest new locations. With thousands of Irish fans likely to return from the French capital this weekend, there are fears the nasty pets may invite themselves along for the ride.

Bedbugs are prolific breeders, and once they attach themselves to clothing, luggage, or furniture, they can quickly infest a room, house, hotel, or even a plane, tram or bus. Due to their size, they can hide in places where they are difficult-to-spot such as small cracks and crevices, making mattresses, behind wallpaper, under skirting boards, luggage, bed frames and headboards perfect hiding places.

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Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager for Rentokil, has urged fans returning from Paris to be vigilant. He said: "Bed bugs can be a nightmare for people travelling.

"They are elusive and hitchhike their way into new places through luggage, clothing, and other personal items. It is crucial for anyone travelling, especially for the Rugby World Cup, to be aware of the signs of bed bug infestations and take preventive measures.

"Prevention is the best defence against bed bugs. By staying vigilant and taking these precautions, travellers can help reduce the risk of bringing these unwanted pests back home with them."

Signs you have bedbugs

Bedbugs can hide in many places, including on bed frames, mattresses, clothing, furniture, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper. Signs of bedbugs include:

  • Bites – often on skin exposed while sleeping, like the face, neck and arms.
  • Spots of blood on your bedding – from the bites or from squashing a bedbug.
  • Small brown spots on bedding or furniture (bedbug poo).

What are the symptoms of bedbug bites?

Bedbug bites on white skin usually look red. On darker skin or black or brown skin, they can look purple and could be more difficult to see.

In some cases, you could have a reaction to the bites which can include itching and swelling. In even rare cases, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is possible.

How you can treat bedbug bites

Bedbug bites usually clear up on their own in a week or so. Things you can do include:

  • putting something cool, like a clean, damp cloth, on the affected area to help with the itching and any swelling
  • keeping the affected area clean
  • not scratching the bites to avoid getting an infection

How to get rid of bedbugs

If you think you have bedbugs, you should contact your local council or pest control service. It's very difficult to get rid of bedbugs yourself because they can be hard to find and may be resistant to some insecticides.

There are some things you can try yourself, but these are unlikely to get rid of bedbugs completely.

  • Wash affected bedding and clothing on a hot wash (60C) and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes.

  • Put affected clothing and bedding in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for three or four days.

  • Clean and vacuum regularly – bedbugs are found in both clean and dirty places, but regular cleaning will help you spot them early.

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