Toronto, Ontario (CTV Network) — Amid a large bedbug infestation in France, experts say there are ways avoid bringing the pests home with you.
Bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feast on human and animal blood, Health Canada says. They are about 10 millimetres long, oval-shaped and have a flat body.
The bugs swept through Paris during Fashion Week. Videos circulating online show the insects in public spaces like buses, trains and movie theatres.
Experts say bedbugs don’t pass from person to person but instead climb into bags, shoes and other items of clothing, which can spread the infestation.
Although the outbreak is impacting France, cities in Canada could see something similar if the bugs are left to feast, Dale Kurt, Greater Toronto Area manager at Orkin Canada, said.
“Get on top of it quick because if you don’t, it’s allowed to linger,” Kurt told CTVNews.ca in an interview. “It reproduces so fast, it can get out of control quickly.”
WHERE ARE THEY FOUND?
Bedbugs can usually be found in sleeping areas, Kurt said, on mattresses, under wallpaper, in electrical outlets and in night stands, so they can feast easily while people sleep.
“Bedbugs are typically lazy,” he said. “They want to be close to where their food supply is…So they’re going to be close to the bed.”
Kurt said when checking into a hotel room, he always does a visual check first.
“If there’s moderate to heavy infestation, you’re going to see some signs of the bedbugs, which usually are the blood smears on pillowcases or sheets,” he said.
He says the people should check underneath mattresses, the box spring and in dark places around the bed.
“They don’t like to be in that open area. But if there’s some area that they can tuck themselves in behind, that’s where they’re going to live,” he said. “And then just come out for their blood meal and go right back again.”
Unfortunately for humans, the pests can live up to 10 months and don’t need constant blood to live. The small insects are also hard to spot during the day because they only come out at night.
For these reasons, getting rid of them can be incredibly difficult, Kurt said.
HOW TO LEAVE BEDBUGS BEHIND
Usually, bedbugs are in areas where there’s been high traffic, Kurt said.
“Sometimes people think it’s because it’s a dirty hotel or dirty bed,” he said. “That’s not necessarily true. Bedbugs can be in a one-star hotel or they can be in a five-star hotel. It just depends on where that traveller or visitor stayed in last.”
The insects can be carried in furniture, strollers, laptop bags or suitcases, Kurt said. For this reason, Kurt advises people to be careful taking second-hand furniture.
Across Canada, Orkin has treated bedbugs from private residences to office towers and schools, but they are most commonly found in hotels, motels and other short-period stays.
“Always use the luggage racks and put it far away from the bed,” he said. “Some people will actually put their luggage and things right in a bathtub. That can actually help to prevent them because the bedbugs won’t crawl into the bathtub.”
Another option is putting items in a large garbage bag to keep the belongings away.
The presence of bedbugs may not be known right away because the rash that comes from their bites could appear up to 14 days later, Health Canada says.
Usually, they bite a person’s face, neck, arms, legs and chest.
HOW TO GET RID OF BEDBUGS
When purchasing used furniture like couches or chairs, Kurt says it’s a good idea to get it professionally cleaned or checked before bringing it inside the home.
“Heat will kill all stages of the bedbugs,” Kurt said. “The adult, the nymph and the egg are all killed by high heat over 50 C.”
Visual checks or canines trained to find bedbugs can also be used to make sure there are none in a residence.
THE TOP CITIES IN CANADA WITH BEDBUGS
There are cities in Canada that struggle with bedbugs, according to Orkin.
Based on calls for the insects, the company ranked the top 25 cities in Canada that have the most bedbugs.
Topping the list are densely populated Toronto and Vancouver in the first and second spots.
Third on the list is Sudbury, Ont., which Kurt believes could have to do with a lot of people moving in and out of the city on contract jobs.
Fourth is Oshawa, fifth is Ottawa and Scarborough is ranked sixth.
Northern Ontario’s Sault Ste. Marie is seventh on the list, followed by London, Ont., St. John’s, N.L. and rounding out the top 10 is Hamilton, Ont.
Click here for updates on this story
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
Here’s how to leave bedbugs behind when you travel home
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer