Urgent bedbug warning for Brits attending major sporting event with fears thousands could bring them back into UK
BRITS attending a major sporting event have been warned over fears they could bring bedbugs back to the UK.
English and Welsh rugby fans are being urged to familiarise themselves with the tell-tale signs ahead of this weekend.
Thousands will be heading via Paris for the Rugby World Cup as England take on Fiji at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on Sunday.
Wales take on Argentina at the same stadium on Saturday.
If both countries progress, the semi-finals will be played at the Stade de France in the French capital.
It comes as the Paris is currently plagued with infestation issues.
A warning has been issued about the “widespread” outbreak in public places, including in cinemas, at the airport and on public transport.
Nic Shacklock, from Online-Bedrooms, said: “Nothing would ruin your trip more than finding out you’ve brought home unwelcome guests.
“We recommend checking both your bed and your room on arrival at your hotel when going abroad to make sure everything is clean and up to your standards.
“The same also goes for public transport, it’s worth standing up when possible and to check for any tiny dark specks that indicate their presence.
“There are a few tell-tale signs to look out for that can indicate there are some bed bugs lurking around your room.
“Dark patches on the wall and blood spots on the sheets are signs that they may have followed you home.”
He also urged fans to be aware of seven signs they may be carrying bedbugs.
Nic warned bedbugs release a lot of blood when squashed and warned to remain vigilant of a rusty colour on both sides of a mattress.
Eggs, around 1mm wide, can also be spotted as a tell-tale sign.
Bedbugs carry a musty odour, so if a bedroom has an unpleasant smell then be aware, he says.
Although slightly less common, Nic warns of dark spots on walls, as this could be bug excrement.
He adds also suggests looking for bug shells and white spots on furniture.
Bugs shed their skin when they begin to grow, so be on the look for small, husk-like specks that may crush if sqaushed.
As bedbugs like to lay their eggs on furniture, small white spots can be seen from a distance.
Finally, Nic points to the obvious sign of bites, adding that “red, itchy spots” on the skin are likely to be down to the annoying bugs.
It comes as a woman who went on the train in Paris once was left covered in itchy sores.
Bedbugs are also thought to have invaded the London Underground after a skin-crawling clip showed critters jumping on a woman’s leg.
What is a bedbug?
Bedbug infestations are on the rise and as a result experts are urging the public to remain vigilant.
According to the NHS, bedbugs can be dark yellow, red or brown.
The critters are oval shaped and are around the size of an apple seed.
As an insect they have six legs and two antenna.
You can identify adult bedbugs by their size as they are around 5mm long and there will be spots from their waste like little ink splats.
The adult pesky pests do have the vestiges of wings called wing pads, but they do not fully develop into functional wings, therefore they cannot fly
Bedbugs can look somewhat different depending on
their feeding status
After they have fed, bedbugs bodies will swell and turn a reddish colour from their latest meal.