Bugs, mice and ****roaches: how to get rid of them?

Rats, ****roaches, mosquitoes, bed bugs, all this little world has apparently been breeding for a few years. According to a survey conducted by the Ipsos Institute, nearly two out of three French people have already encountered these creatures. The number of affected people doubled between 2017 and 2021. Amin Musallam, Head of Special Editions at 60 millions of consumersjust dedicated special number This phenomenon is very important on the pest.

franceinfo: Do ​​we know why there are so many harmful factors, given that today their number is increasing?

Amin Muslim: So in fact, most of the so-called harmful species are on the rise. The top three pests are rats, bed bugs, and mosquitoes. And so, for example, the city of Paris allocates an annual budget of 1.5 million euros to get rid of monkeys, bedbugs, which are also a matter of great concern. Specialists estimate that this particularly fearsome insect currently invades 400,000 to 500,000 locations in France.

How do you explain that?

This prevalence is partly explained by changes in our lifestyles. There are more and more water points that encourage, for example, the spread of mosquitoes. The fact that we often eat our meals outside, and that we have lunch outside, also promotes the growth of rats. International trade can also introduce exotic species, such as the Asian hornet.

And global warming also has a role or not?

Yes, of course. The fact that there are milder autumns and winters benefits some species that stay active longer, such as mosquitoes. Rising temperatures also lead to the expansion of the geographical distribution of some species towards the north. This is the case, for example, of the parade of pine caterpillars, formerly confined to the south of France, and now found as far away as the Paris region and Normandy.

So when we say harmful, it’s not quite right, because they’re participating in a global ecosystem. Some have a benefit. But what are the ways to eliminate it? What are the most effective products? This is the subject of your investigation.

So there is a whole host of solutions, which range from mechanical controls to insecticides and oral antagonists, i.e. products that kill rodents. And this without the risk of poisoning. Because 70% of the products we have studied are very dangerous to human health.

More than 75% of products also contain environmentally harmful substances, with long-term adverse effects, that are caused by persistent chemical molecules that decompose very slowly. So it can be particularly toxic to aquatic organisms, in particular, and to bees.

Many of the products we studied also contain substances that are dangerous to pets. Substances, eg pyrethroids, are substances whose names end in “threene” such as permethrin, fluomethine, which can cause several adverse effects in cats. Then there are some dogs who are also very sensitive to the toxicity of another substance called abamectin.

Where are they found? Where are these products sold without a prescription?

Right now, yes, they are already over the counter, but probably not for very long. Because the National Agency for Food Safety, Environment and Occupational Health, ANSES, recommends, in an opinion published on November 16, 2022, that the sale of self-service pesticides and rodenticides be prohibited to individuals.

So you can treat it yourself or hire a professional. How do you choose well? Indeed, is it expensive?

Yes, it is very expensive. For example, for bed bugs, an average of 600 euros is required for treatments and chemical treatments. As for rodents, it can be from simple to double, depending on whether you choose poisoned baits of 300 euros or multiplication systems in safe boxes with electronic traps where you can go up to 700 euros.

In some cases, you have to contact the professionals. To choose them well, you should contact at least three companies to compare services and prices. Then also look at how the businessman behaves. A serious, experienced contractor will ask you verification questions, and likely ask for photos. He will explain to you his procedure, the possible options and, ideally, he should travel to establish a diagnosis.

Last thing in terms of prevention, is there something I should know?

So yeah, there are a lot of things to know. I can’t name them all, but there are a range of measures that need to be adopted depending on the pest. Pour les moustiques, par example, il est primordial de supprimer tous les points d’eau stagnante, as the contenants où l’eau de pluie ou d’arrosage peut s’accumuler, par example, ne serait ce que les coupelles sous les pots plants. To avoid bringing in moths, you should actually check that the foods you buy in bulk do not contain small larvae. You will find all of these prevention tips at Our own issue.