Bed bug: the field card
The size of an apple pip, it travels in suitcases and hides near the bed.
Card 04
Cimex lectularius
In short
The bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a flat, reddish-brown insect 4 to 7 mm long that feeds on blood at night. It does not transmit disease, but its bites and the infestation take a toll on sleep and morale. France's health agency ANSES recommends non-chemical methods first, such as dry steam, heat and vacuuming, with an authorised insecticide only where necessary.
According to a survey carried out for ANSES, 11% of French households were infested between 2017 and 2022, regardless of income or how clean the home was. Bed bugs travel in luggage, clothing and second-hand furniture.
By day they cluster in mattress seams, bed slats, headboards, skirting boards and sockets. Females lay several eggs a day, which hatch within one to two weeks, so any treatment must always include several visits.
Tell-tale signs of bed bugs
- 1Small black dots (droppings) on mattress seams, slats and the bed frame.
- 2Bites in groups of three or four, often in a line, on exposed skin.
- 3Translucent moulted skins and white eggs about 1 mm long in corners.
- 4Small blood spots on the sheets in the morning.
Risk index
DeratiseurPRO rating, from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
- Health
- 3/5
- Damage
- 2/5
- Spread
- 5/5
The risks
- Itchy bites and sometimes strong skin reactions.
- Poor sleep, anxiety and isolation: ANSES highlights the impact on mental health.
- Spread to neighbouring flats and to places visited with luggage and clothes.
- Higher costs when action is delayed: furniture thrown out, repeated treatments.
How we treat it
- 01
Detect
Thorough inspection of the bed, furniture and skirting, with a detection dog when useful, and a map of affected rooms.
- 02
Neutralise
High-temperature dry steam on bedding, furniture and crevices, heat treatment of belongings, authorised insecticide only as a back-up.
- 03
Lock
Bed-bug-proof covers on mattress and base, sealing of cracks and skirting, laundry protocol (60 °C wash, tumble dryer).
- 04
Monitor
Visits scheduled around the egg-hatching cycle, final check, photo report and written guarantee.
Prevention checklist
Simple habits that lower the risk of the intruder coming back.
- When travelling, keep your suitcase on a luggage rack and check the mattress.
- Back home, wash clothes at 60 °C or put them through the tumble dryer.
- Inspect any second-hand furniture or mattress before bringing it in.
- Reduce clutter around the bed to limit hiding places.
Frequently asked questions
Do bed bugs transmit diseases?
No. ANSES confirms they do not transmit disease. Their bites do cause itching, sometimes allergic reactions, and an infestation disrupts sleep.
Should I throw my mattress away?
Rarely. A mattress in good condition can be treated with dry steam and then protected with a bed-bug-proof cover. Throwing it out without treating the rest of the room doesn't solve anything.
Why are several visits needed?
Eggs resist treatment better than adults and hatch within one to two weeks. The next visit removes the young before they can lay eggs themselves.
Got bed bugs at home?
Price shown before you book, 2-hour time slot, same-day photo report and written guarantee.