Guernsey government issues advice amid bedbugs fears

A rise in cases of bedbug infestations in France has prompted the government to issue advice

Advice has been issued to islanders about bedbugs as reported infestations in France continue to gain public attention.

Guernsey's public health and environmental health teams said people should look out for signs of bedbugs.

They added that professional pest controllers would likely be required if any infestation was found.

In France there have been reports of widespread panic as cases of bedbugs soared in recent weeks.

Bedbugs are small insects that often live on furniture or bedding, and can even be found behind pictures or under loose wallpaper.

Their bites can be itchy, but do not usually cause other health problems.

• How to get rid of bedbugs and are they in the UK?

• How bedbugs are repulsed by certain colours

• How bedbugs 'dodge insecticides'

A government spokesperson said: "It is very difficult to get rid of bedbugs yourself because they can be hard to find and may be resistant to some insecticides.

"The Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation does not offer a pest control service for bed bugs but they can offer advice and assist with identification."

The spokesperson added that if islanders believed they have bedbugs, they should contact the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation.

Signs of bedbugs include:

• Bites - often on skin exposed while sleeping, like the face, neck and arms

• Spots of blood on your bedding - from the bites or from squashing a bedbug

• Small brown spots on bedding or furniture (bedbug droppings)