Panic is said to be sweeping Paris and other French cities as infestations of bedbugs have apparently soared in recent weeks. While experts say the upward trend goes back several years, some are getting jittery about bugs in the UK too.

Here we answer some of the key questions people may have.

Bedbugs are small, with adults reaching about 5mm in length (less than a grain of rice) and are oval-shaped. They have six legs and can be dark yellow, red or brown.

There are about 90 species worldwide, although the common bedbug (cimex lectularius) has adapted the best to human environments, according to the British Pest Control Association.

The term “bedbug” can be a touch misleading. As well as mattresses, they can also be found on clothing, furniture, bed frames, or behind loose wallpaper.

Bites are the main thing to look out for, and they are usually raised and itchy. Bedbug bites are often in a line or grouped together.

On white skin the bites usually look red, while on black or brown skin they could be purple and harder to see.

Other things to look out for are spots of blood on bedding – if the bugs have been squashed – or small brown spots on bedding or furniture, which could be their faeces.

Natalie Bungay, from the British Pest Control Association, said that if travelling, checking for the insects was crucial and that “prevention is always better than cure”.

“If you feel you’re in an area that’s got a bit of an outbreak, as they’re reporting in the news, then the best thing to do is just check all your items – they may travel in suitcases,” she told the BBC.

“Check any luggage that you may have put in the room because a lot of the time we put our suitcases or bags on the bed.”

Although often uncomfortable, bedbug bites are not typically dangerous.

They can be very itchy, and there may be some painful swelling, but they usually clear up on their own in about a week – or they can be treated with some basic measures.

These include:

Antihistamines can help if bites are very itchy, while a mild steroid cream like hydrocortisone might be useful.

A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is possible but rare.

A GP appointment should be sought if the bites remain painful, swollen or itchy after trying treatments from a pharmacist, or if the pain or swelling around the bites is spreading.

It can be difficult but there are steps that can be taken, including:

Other steps include avoiding cluttering around beds, or checking second hand furniture before taking it indoors.

Ms Bungay, from BCPA, said it was important not to be ashamed of having bedbugs in the home and to call in an expert pest controller, describing them as a “public health pest”, although mainly in a psychological capacity.

“They’re not proven to transmit disease, but it’s the psychological effect that they have on someone when you’ve got them in your home,” she said.

“They feed from our blood, they just like us.”