After Ireland’s triumph and the weekend-long celebrations, many will be coming back home from Paris today.
However, fans heading to the Rugby World Cup were warned of a bedbug infestation that Paris has been battling for weeks.
Videos of blood-sucking insects were circulating on social media as bedbugs could be spotted on the seats in the Paris Metro, hotels and cinema seats.
Reports of bed bug infestation in Paris, France appear on social media
Bedbugs, which can be around 5mm long, can leave painful bites as they are attracted to the heat of the human body.
The French government is currently tackling the growing infestation, especially as the Rugby World Cup will be followed by the Olympic Games in Paris in 9 months.
Many Irish fans said they are not concerned as they did not get much sleep after the big game due to celebrating Ireland’s victory last night.
“There’s no time to sleep, so bedbugs are not an issue,” one of the rugby fans Claire Mannix (43) told the Irish Independent on Friday as she was departing to Paris from Dublin Airport.
However, if Irish supporters managed to get a few hours of rest, there’s a risk that bedbugs might travelled home in their luggage without them knowing.
GP Dr Trish Horgan from Cork has come to the rescue with advice on how to avoid bringing the uninvited guests back home.
“For anyone welcoming home #RugbyWorldCup supporters tonight – don’t let the bed bugs bite!” she wrote in a tweet.
“You did a super job supporting our boys in green. Now we ask you to do something to support the team at home,” she said.
Anyone who is coming back home from France is advised to ask a family member or a friend to put two large bin bags, one ziplock bag, and a towel in front of their house.
Dr Horgan said the first step is taking the toiletries bag out of the suitcase in the driveway. Then, the toiletries bag should go into a ziplock bag, and the suitcase should be put into a large plastic bag before sealing it.
All clothing and shoes need to be removed and placed into a large plastic bag and sealed. While entering the house and wearing only a towel, a ziplock bag with toiletries bag in it should be taken directly to the shower.
The next step is taking a scalding hot shower and scrubbing. After doing so, the contents of the toiletries bag should be washed in hot water. The bag should also be turned inside out and cleaned under hot water.
The suitcase and clothing need to be washed and dried at high temperatures. Belongings that cannot go into the washing machine should be vacuumed out or steam cleaned, Dr Horgan said.
“Or until you are ready to take them back to Paris with you next week,” Dr Horgan quipped.
