@thetimes: Why are bedbug cases on the rise? Bedbug cases are rising by between 20 and 25 per cent a year in London and other big European cities, according to a bedbug monitoring company, as operators battle to contain the bloodsucking pests. A series of hotel infestations have been reported in Britain this year. Hannah Stephenson, 31, said she woke at a Travelodge in Cambridge in July covered in more than 100 bites and found bedbugs in the bedding. Travelodge apologised, investigated the room and ultimately paid her £2,000 in compensation. It also said instances of bedbugs across its hotels were extremely rare, with the company maintaining stringent cleaning regimes. Last month staff at The Guardian were allowed to work from home after bedbugs were found at the newspaper’s King’s Cross headquarters. Pest controllers were called back for further treatment after more sightings were reported. Bedbugs have also disrupted trains. Southeastern took two trains out of service after the insects were found in drivers’ cabs at its Hastings depot. Two other trains were checked and cleared. The operator stressed that no bedbugs had been found in passenger areas. Martim Gois, Valpas co-founder and chief executive, said finding a bedbug away from a bed was “a cause for worry” because “it always means there is a lot circulating outside their natural habitat”. *FOR NEWS PURPOSES* #bedbugs #health #travel #britain #europe

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Tuesday 13 October 2026 18:00:00 GMT