People in the United Kingdom can witness their second bread bug outbreak as the species may return in swarms. Experts fear that they may travel with those who are visiting the Paris Olympics. Thousands are expected to attend events in Paris, which is still severely impacted by a bed bug crisis since a spike in October last year.

James Logan, scientist and CEO of Arctech Innovation, while speaking to media said, "This year is the Olympics in Paris. Big events like that mean people are travelling more than normal, so we might see more transportation of bedbugs."

The development comes after Paris was hit by a bed bug crisis last October. Huge "mattress mountains" were seen dumped on the pavements, with some covered in plastic. These bed bugs are oval in shape, flat, brownish-red in colour and around the size of an apple pip, experts say. They need regular blood intake to survive. Bites tend to be small, red and itchy but the critters are not always easy to spot.

Bed bugs initially made their appearance in hotels and vacation rentals across the city during the summer. Soon after, sightings were reported in movie theaters. Then reports emerged of bed bugs crawling around on seats in both national high-speed trains and the Paris Metro system, including in a metro train driver's cabin, leaving people dismayed and horrified.

Back then, both Paris City Hall and President Emmanuel Macron government urged swift action to address this issue, recognizing the importance of protecting Paris's image leading up to the 2024 games. The government took the bed bug issue seriously and not just brushed it off as social media hype. It became big problem, moving from something people talked about casually to a national emergency because of how quickly bedbug stories spread.

How to prevent yourself from bed bugs?

• Before bringing used mattresses, sofas, and furniture into your house, look for any indications of a bed insect infestation.
• Use heat treatments, such as steam cleaners and high-heat clothes dryers.
• Employ cold treatments to kill the pests, such as using a freezer set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.