Don’t Blame Textiles for Resurgence of Bed Bugs in France
November 14, 2023 Bed bugs recently made sensational news in France.
Fortunately, textiles are not a reason for the resurgence of the pests.
Although bed bugs are prevalent all over the world and do not cause any serious medical harm, the issue got hyped up and became a topic of discussion in the French Parliament, primarily because of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which will attract about 15 million visitors bringing over $270 billion in revenue due to travelers, providing enormous business opportunities for the travel, hospitality, and hotel industries.
The textiles industry that manufactures and exports home textiles may benefit from the Olympic games. Normally, fine count cotton yarns are woven into tight weave structures to make bedspreads and other textiles for the hotel industry, states Velmurugan Shanmugam, General Manager of Jayalakshmi Textiles in Aruppukkottai, India – a manufacturer of cotton yarns that go into home textiles. That sector should see a boost as France will have to import these textiles that find applications such as bedspreads, bath towels, and tabletops, to name a few.
The sudden growth of bed bug infestations in France may send misleading information that beds and accessories like bed sheets are responsible for the recent resurgence. In reality, globalization and more travel by humans – particularly after the COVID-19 lockdowns – are some of the reasons for increased bed bug infestations.
“There has been a global resurgence of bed bug populations in the past 30 years,” says Dr. Robert Puckett, AgriLife Extension Entomologist at Texas A&M University.
“Bed bugs are world class hitchhikers and are found in places where humans rest such as beds and recliners,” adds Anthony Mobley, Regional Manager at Fox Pest Control.
According to experts, these pests can sense the carbon dioxide that humans exhale and get attracted to them when they offer less resistance. “Bed bugs can detect carbon dioxide away from 20 feet away when humans exhale,” states Puckett.
Cimex lectularius is a major species of bed bug and is found globally. These pests feed on human blood and approach humans when they get the least resistance, i.e., sleeping. As this is the case, these pests appear at night in mattresses and bedspreads, however they also rest in crevices and spaces such as electric socket holes. Therefore, textiles are not the reasons for growth in bed bug infestations, although these pests can be transported by baggage, clothing items, and more.
“Bed bugs are found in all 50 states in the United States, and no city is immune from these bugs,” states Mobley.
Although there are no serious medical concerns, bed bugs make people uncomfortable and lead to psychological discomfort. As these bugs suck human blood, they lead to irritations and itching on the skin.
“Neonicotinoids and pyrethroids are common classes of insecticides that can be used to manage bed bugs,” notes Puckett. “But over-application of a single class of insecticides can lead to resistance.”
In the case of bed bug infestations, it is important to approach pest control specialists.
“Bed sheets and curtains need to be removed, washed, and dried,” advises Mobley. “Clothes in a chest of drawers must be washed and dried.”
Mobley says that clothes need to be dried for at least 30 minutes at a consistent temperature of 120o F or higher. High dryer heat will kill eggs and adults, agrees Puckett.
The textiles sector, particularly those that export home textiles, need not panic as textiles are not the cause for the sudden growth of the bed bug infestations. Proper pest management, isolating textile items infested with bugs, washing them, and having high temperature drying are some useful remedial measures.
Globetrotters and sport fans alike can travel to Paris safely in the summer of 2024 to enjoy the Olympics and French cuisine.
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