Bedbugs ‘a real source of concern’ on London transport, says Sadiq Khan

The bedbug threat to public transport in London is “a real source of concern” after reports of outbreaks in Paris, the capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has said.

A viral video at the weekend, which purported to show a bedbug on a passenger’s leg on the Victoria line and has been viewed more than 1m times, has stoked alarm that the UK could face similar problems to the French capital, where there has reportedly been growing numbers of the blood-sucking insects in flats, cinemas and trains.

Luton borough council warned it was receiving an “alarming number” of calls to tackle bedbugs, and offering advice to people on how to get rid of them. There has also been an unconfirmed claim that bedbugs have been spotted on a train from London to Liverpool.

Speaking to the PoliticsJoe website, Khan said: “This is a real source of concern. People are worried about these bugs in Paris causing a problem in London.

“I want to reassure those listening that TfL [Transport for London] has the best regimes to clean our assets on a nightly basis. We are speaking to our friends in Paris to see if there are any lessons to be learned but for a variety of reasons we don’t think those issues will arise in London; but there is no complacency from TfL.”

Some experts have queried if the video shows a live bedbug, or what type of bug, but the UK is no stranger to bedbugs, which are found globally.

Often they are transported by luggage, secreting themselves in suitcases and on clothing while travelling. There is often an increase in July and August, when a lot of people are on the move.

Once imported they can hide in small crevices, often in bedroom furniture, or even skirting boards or behind mirrors and pictures, and bite at night. They are not known to transmit disease and their bite is painless but will leave a red, itchy mark. However, their droppings and remains may trigger allergies in some.

Data from the pest control company Rentokil in September showed that from 2022-23, the UK had a 65% increase in bedbug infestations.

They can spread rapidly – a female adult can lay up to 10 eggs a day, and 200-500 eggs in their lifetime – meaning prompt detection and taking swift, effective action are key to controlling an infestation.

Luton council released information on its website advising householders on how to prepare for treatment by pest control officers, such as stripping beds and removing bedding and clothing and pictures. It added there were not “limitless resources” to tackle the problem, and treatment was not free.

On its website, the council said: “This national bedbug problem has not missed Luton. The pest control service is currently receiving an alarming number of bedbug jobs on a weekly basis.”

An Avanti West Coast staff member contacted the Guardian after the train company allegedly allowed a service to keep running despite a report of bedbugs. The staff member said that although bedbugs were reported on a service from Liverpool to London on Monday, the train was sent back from London to Liverpool with people onboard.

Avanti said the train was taken out of service in Liverpool and the carriage in question was examined and treated, though no bedbugs were found.

An Avanti spokesperson said: “When we were notified, the coach on the train in question was taken out of use. The coach has been treated and inspected and no trace of any pests have been found.”