Bedbugs on Trains: Exploring the Potential Infestation and SNCF’s Response

2023-09-24 10:18:52

Even on the TGV there are bedbugs, Ouigo remember to disinfect your trains, thank you.” A passenger on an Ouigo in the direction of Lille shared a video this Friday, September 23 on the X network, formerly Twitter, which exceeded 2.5 million views this Saturday. And for good reason, we probably see a bedbug wandering around on an armrest, which can only be that of a train, notes La Voix Du Nord, on its website.

In the comments, we can see that the SNCF tried to contact the commuter. “We try to respond to you by direct message. Please follow us on Twitter so that we can send it to you,” writes SNCF Voyageurs, without saying more.

Further on, Ouigo thanks the passenger for “this information. I confirm that I have forwarded your report to the department concerned, I wish you a nice day.” Before adding, “we have notified the department concerned. What is necessary will be done quickly. »

This video obviously echoes this other photo which quickly went viral last week, and taken by another passenger, in a TGV coming from Gare de l’Est, in Paris. “Could it be bedbugs on your trains, SNCF Voyageurs? », The traveler also questioned, indicating that a carriage was infested according to her.

Questioned by Le Parisien, the SNCF denied it. “To date, we have not had any confirmed presence of bedbugs in our TGVs in recent months,” the company indicated, highlighting “very regular” preventive treatment (every 60 days) once morest bedbugs. of bed but also cockroaches and fleas. In the event of a report, intensive treatment is immediately applied, and if necessary the train is “taken out of commercial service.” »

You should know that bedbugs, which have reappeared since the 1990s, have infested more than one in ten homes in France in recent years – regardless of income level – representing a heavy health and economic burden, according to a report dating of August 2023. These small insects the size of an apple seed, which feed at night, mainly on human blood, most often hide in mattresses and box springs and are transported in clothing and beds. luggage.

Contrary to popular belief, the presence of bedbugs in your home does not indicate a lack of cleanliness. Anyone can be the victim of an infestation in their home. “It is a phenomenon completely independent of the social environment,” insists Karine Fiore, deputy director of social, economic and societal sciences at ANSES. In terms of control, the Agency recommends favoring non-chemical methods, such as treatment with dry heat or freezing, and calling on pest control professionals if the infestation persists.

On Saturday evening, Stephane, SNCF agent and repair team leader, provided an update on the social network X regarding the bug filmed by the passenger on a train to Lille. “There have never been any infestations on TGV trains. No bedbugs or cockroaches. There may be occasional presences of insects,” he writes. ” Where do they come from ? These insects do not live in the trains, they are brought back by travelers, not of their own free will. But thousands of travelers per day mean more possibility of bringing insects back in suitcases and shoes. Etc., etc. »

His long post specifies the steps for cleaning the trains. At each report, he specifies, the train is subject to a treatment with smoke, then a thorough cleaning. The train is immobilized for seven hours, he explains.

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