Watford pest control companies have been “pulled from pillar to post” as Hertfordshire was named a bedbug hotspot.

Reports of a widespread outbreak of bedbugs in Paris have prompted fears that the tiny creepy-crawlies – which are known to hide away in suitcases – will be rapidly multiplying on our shores, too.

Last week, The Times reported that local pest control has labelled the county a “hotspot” for activity, amid an increase in the number of calls for bedbugs across the area.

Multiple Watford companies said they were too busy with callouts to even spare the time to speak about the issue today (October 17), while James Garland from Watford Pest Control revealed he had only recently had two calls out from people returning from France.

“We’ve seen a massive uptick in bedbug activity nonstop,” he said. “It’s been manic and we’ve been pulled from pillar to post.

“We’ve seen a lot more come through.”

He said that part of the rise in calls might be down to customers being more cautious, but added that recent calls from those returning from France indicate “it is coming”.

Watford Observer: Pest control firms nationally have said that the spread of bedbugs is ‘out of control’.Pest control firms nationally have said that the spread of bedbugs is ‘out of control’.

Authorities in Paris warned that “no-one is safe” from the bloodsucking critters, and social media videos appear to show the insects crawling over seats on the Paris Metro.

In The Times’ report Adam Warren, a director of Herts-based Summit Pest Control, said that he had seen a rise from one or two calls per week for bedbugs across the southeast, to 15 to 25 calls per week.

Watford Observer: How far the issue is specifically related to Paris has been debated.How far the issue is specifically related to Paris has been debated. (Image: Andrew Nuss/Purdue University)

He told the newspaper that the worst infestation he had seen was in Radlett.

However, another Hertfordshire pest control business owner, which did not want to be named, told the Watford Observer that the recent issue had been overblown in media reports.

According to Watford Borough Council, it has observed an increase in bedbug cases in Watford this year compared to 2022 and 2021, but “not at an alarming level”.

“This rise reflects a return to pre-COVID levels, as the pandemic saw a significant decrease due to reduced travel,” the council spokesperson added.