During the 2025 summer season in the Northern Hemisphere, bed bugs continued to make headlines. High traveller volumes and warmer temperatures created favourable conditions for the insects to spread.

According to a study by the French Bed Bug Canine Detection Experts Association (SEDCPL), reported cases of bed bugs in France rose by 50% in June 2025 compared with the same month in 2024. The German Pest Control Association (DSV) has also noted that the situation in Germany has worsened over the last decade. In parallel, fumigation at Madrid Airport in May further underscored the scale of the problem. The cost of inaction can be severe: in California, a jury recently ordered a Ventura hotel to pay $2 million to two guests after they were attacked by bed bugs during their stay. Beyond the financial impact, the case illustrates the reputational harm hotels risk when guest safety is not protected.
Yet as public concern grows, hotels are changing how they respond. Once considered especially vulnerable to outbreaks, many properties—particularly in France—are now seen as leading examples of best practice.