Worried about bed bugs in French hotels? This new label could reassure you
Scheme certifies tourist accommodation that has been tested for infestations
Published
Travellers in France may soon start seeing a new certification when booking a hotel or other holiday accommodation aimed at reassuring guests that proper procedures have been put in place to prevent bed bug infestations.
The voluntary bed bug risk and infestation management label has been launched ahead of the summer holiday season by Bureau Veritas in partnership with the Association des Professionnels de la Protection de la Santé et des Environnements (PROSANE) and the Syndicat des Experts en Détection Canine de Punaises de Lit (SEDCPL).
It is an annual certification for hotels, holiday clubs, tourist residences and campsites.
According to figures published by PROSANE, tourist accommodation accounts for nearly one in five professional bed bug interventions carried out in France.
The organisations say that the reason for the introduction of the new label is that activity peaks during the summer months, with 60% of interventions taking place between July and September.
"Delays in detection or difficulties in tackling infestations can encourage their spread," PROSANE said in its press release stating that hotels account for 44% of interventions in the tourism sector.
The scheme is a voluntary certification that establishments can apply for by undergoing an independent audit.
To qualify, accommodation providers must demonstrate that they have procedures in place to prevent, detect and respond quickly to suspected infestations.
How to spot bed bugs
According to Assurance Maladie, France's state health insurance system, bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects measuring around 4-7mm. They feed on human blood at night but are not known to transmit infectious diseases.
Signs of an infestation include:
itchy red bites, often appearing in lines or clusters on exposed skin
small black spots on sheets or mattresses, which are bed bug droppings
small blood stains on bedding caused by crushed insects
live insects, shed skin or tiny white eggs around the mattress, bed frame or nearby furniture
The insects cannot fly or jump and are most often transported accidentally in luggage, clothing or bedding.
How to reduce the risk while travelling
The organisations behind the new label recommend:
placing luggage on a luggage rack or other raised surface rather than on the bed or floor
inspecting the mattress seams and bed frame when arriving at your accommodation
washing clothes at 60C, or using a tumble dryer on a hot cycle for at least 30 minutes after returning home if you are concerned about possible exposure
