The world is grappling with seemingly a lot right now, and among the many things making headlines is the bed bug infestation that’s got Paris in a chokehold.
Much like the rats in New York, the little critters are running the city and taking no mercy on unsuspecting residents and visitors.
From hotels, movie theaters to public transportation, they are everywhere.
The major concern came during the city’s coveted fashion week, when travellers feared they would bring the insects back home after finding them lurking everywhere they turn.
And with Canada already reportedly having a bedbug problem of its own, things just aren’t looking too good for anyone right now.
That’s why one fellow Canadian living in Paris took to social media to share tips on detecting the pests, advice she says she learned during her time up north.
“Since everyone in Paris is freaking out about this, I will show you guys how to check for bedbugs, the way we [learned] in Canada,” TikTok user Mediterranée (@cestmediterranee) said.
Her video has already reached over 600,000 views as of publication.
WHAT TO DO
According to her, you first want to strip your bed and check your mattress for anything moving as well as black dots and stains.
Next, she says to grab a credit or debit card and scrape all along the mattress for any signs of insect eggs which would normally look like white or beige “rice bits.”
“If you find any bed bugs, it’s not a big deal. It’s gonna feel like a pain but it’s not, just breathe.”
Other tips include spraying your mattress or vacuuming it, but she ultimately recommends you throw your mattress away by bagging it up first before moving through the house since you risk infesting other areas of the home too.
As for clothing, she says you should wash them at a high temperature.
“Follow the simple rules, don’t put your coat on your bed. Don’t put your school bag on your bed. Don’t bring library books home,” Mediterranée added.
She also wanted to make sure people knew that “just because you have bed bugs does not make you dirty, it’s just the fact of living in a big city.”
