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The Bedbug Hunters

August 2, 2024

Before the turn of the millennium, bedbugs were considered largely eradicated in Europe. Now they’re back.

https://p.dw.com/p/4j0A3
A bed bug on a white piece of fabric
Bedbugs are small, flat, agile and they love human bloodImage: BR

As pest controllers can attest: These insects are on the rise - and not just in Paris, where they caused panic in the run-up to the Olympics.

This documentary accompanies researchers, exterminators, and hoteliers in Europe's fight against the parasites. Bedbugs are small, agile, difficult to detect - and love feasting on human blood. While traditionally associated with our bedrooms, they can also be found everywhere from bus and train seats to libraries and cinemas. Their robustness and mastery of the art of concealment makes exterminating them a complicated and costly undertaking.

Christoph Otto combats the pests by heating infested rooms to over 50 degrees.
The professional exterminator Christoph Otto combats the pests by heating infested rooms to over 50 degrees. Image: BR

Christoph Otto calls his job the "Champions League of pest control." The professional exterminator in southern Germany heats up infested rooms to over 50 degrees Celsius to rid them of bedbugs. Over in Britain, insect researcher Richard Naylor has been fascinated by the pests since his university days over 20 years ago.

Several plastic covers are attached to the scientist's arm from which the bedbugs can suck his blood.
Scientist Richard Naylors breeds bedbugs and feeds them his own blood every day in order to conduct research under real conditions. Image: BR

He now breeds them for research institutes, sniffer dog training schools, and the pest control industry. To achieve the best results, Naylor feeds the bugs with his own blood. He even has a specially-built bedroom where he sleeps to study the bugs’ behavior. Conveniently, unlike many other people, he has only a negligible reaction to their bites. At the individual level, the researcher also uses his experience to answer enquiries from those affected.

A sticker on the hotel mirror stating that there is a bedbug early warning system in this hotel.
A hotel in Paris advertises its modern bug detection system.Image: BR

Bedbug infestations can be particularly bad news for hotels. Many hoteliers prefer to stay silent on the issue due to the fear of losing business. Max Malka is among the few who are going on the offensive - by attracting visitors to his Paris area hotel with a high-tech pest-alert system. The German Alpine Club (DAV) has also taken an open approach to the problem, giving hikers a range of special guidelines and explanatory information.

Will these concerted efforts result in the reduction of these blood-sucking pests to levels observed before the turn of the millennium?
 

 

Broadcasting Hours: 

DW English

MON 05.08.2024 – 18:30 UTC
MON 05.08.2024 – 23:30 UTC
TUE 06.08.2024 – 03:30 UTC
TUE 06.08.2024 – 09:15 UTC
TUE 06.08.2024 – 12:15 UTC
TUE 06.08.2024 – 16:15 UTC
TUE 06.08.2024 – 21:15 UTC
WED 07.08.2024 – 07:30 UTC
WED 07.08.2024 – 10:30 UTC
WED 07.08.2024 – 17:30 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +1 | Berlin UTC +2 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4

 

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