Bucharest City Hall calls for measures to combat bedbugs following infestations reported on public transport, in schools, hospitals, and homes

The number of bedbug cases reported in Bucharest is increasing, and municipal councillors are calling for preventive measures on public transport, in institutions and in homes. The issue was discussed at a meeting of the General Council of Bucharest Municipality, where USR representative Naomi Reinuț asked the Eco Igienizare company to propose a protocol for combating these insects.

At present, the company’s intervention plan includes measures against ticks, mosquitoes and rats, but not bedbugs. Session chair Bogdan Jelea said the request would be forwarded to Eco Igienizare and to the Bucharest City Hall’s relevant department.

Infestations have been reported in several public spaces. In June, bedbugs were discovered in subway cars and in mechanics’ rest areas, with Valea Ialomiței Depot the most affected. Between August 17 and September 14, a ward at Bagdasar-Arseni Hospital was closed because of the insects.

Cases were also reported at the Mihail Sadoveanu and Traian Vuia high schools, where classes were moved online, as well as at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. Bucharest residents have also reported bedbugs on STB vehicles or in homes, and getting rid of them is difficult, costly and time-consuming.