Emmanuel Grégoire, the first deputy mayor of Paris, has suggested integrating the risk of being infected by bed bugs into home insurance contracts. He believes that this inclusion would ensure that nobody would refrain from treating the infestation due to financial constraints. The city of Paris has also called on the government to urgently organize “meetings on the fight against pests” as the problem continues to grow.
Bed bugs not only infest private properties but also public spaces. Many low-income tenants are unable to afford the cost of treatment, resulting in the infestation spreading to neighboring apartments. In response, the city of Paris covers the cost of eradicating bed bugs for the most vulnerable households, which Grégoire believes is an important financial support measure.
While Grégoire does not want to create panic, he emphasizes that the problem is becoming increasingly prevalent. He urges the government to take action swiftly and effectively. He also calls for a clarification of responsibilities between tenants and landlords and intends to engage in a dialogue with insurance companies to address the financial constraints that prevent people from seeking treatment and thereby spreading the infestation to their neighbors.
