Pest control experts have warned that bed bugs could pour into the UK over the winter months, with tens of millions of people set to pour in and out of British airports
The UK is in the midst of a bed bug epidemic, according to the latest figures, which show cases have surged by more than half as the pests rapidly multiply across the country after arriving from abroad.
Pest control experts have warned that infestations are massively increasing across the four nations, with the overall number up by 62 percent, and likely only to grow in the weeks to come. The winter surge, experts from Rentokil Pest Control note, is part of the annual travel peak, and an increasing concern in the winter months.
And they pose “significant” issues for Brit households, with the bugs being typically hard to detect and extremely difficult to root out once they take root in a property.
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Speaking to the Daily Mail, Paul Blackhurst, the head of Technical Academy at Rentokil Pest Control, warned bed bugs tend to “quickly spread” when travel peaks. He said: “Bed bugs can quickly spread when travel peaks, and our data shows they are an increasing concern at this time of year.
“While they are small and often hard to detect, the impact of an infestation can be significant for households. Early awareness is key, and we encourage anyone who is concerned to seek professional support promptly.
“With the right treatment, bed bugs can be eliminated effectively, helping people enjoy a more comfortable and stress-free festive season.” Britain is a travel hotspot over December, with approximately 22 million people expected to travel through UK airports over the Christmas season.
London alone is expected to receive the vast majority of travellers, with millions travelling to take in the city’s sights while it is decked out for the holidays. The warning from pest experts will have conjured uncomfortable memories for some Londoners following a similar bedbug warning back in 2023.
Around October of that year, distressing footage posted online showed the blood sucking bugs crawling around London’s Tube network, visible on seating in carriages and leaving some people refusing to sit down. One viral video circulating at the time showed what was purportedly a brown bedbug crawling on an unsuspecting commuter’s clothing.
At the time, mayor Sadiq Khan said the issue was a “real source of concern”, and he vowed to speak with his Parisian couterparts as the outbreak was traced back to France. The viral sightings eventually passed after it was confirmed there was no UK outbreak, with TfL ultimately maintaining the network was clean and safe.
A spokesperson for TfL said: “We are continuing to closely monitor our network but are not aware of any outbreaks in London. We are continuing to implement our rigorous and thorough cleaning measures that have been proven to keep both the interior and exterior of our trains clean.
“We are committed to providing a clean and safe environment on our bus, Tube and rail service for our customers and staff, and we would like to reassure our customers that we continue to maintain our already high standards of cleanliness, so our staff and customers can use the network safely and with confidence.”
