Whether you've just signed your first Parisian lease or you've been here for years, dealing with pests in France comes with its own quirks: specific laws (loi Alur, loi ELAN), licensed-only treatments, and very different rules from the UK or the US. This guide walks you through the eight most common household pests in Paris, with prevention tips and what your landlord legally owes you.
Each section is foldable — tap a pest to expand it and read the details. The risk badges (high / medium / low) help you prioritise. Use the index below to jump straight to your problem.
“Under French law (loi Alur), your landlord is responsible for treating any infestation that pre-dates your tenancy — including bed bugs, rats, and cockroaches.”
— A right every English-speaking tenant in Paris should know
Key takeaways for English speakers in Paris
- Mice, rats, cockroaches and bed bugs are the four most common high-risk pests in Parisian flats.
- Your landlord must treat infestations that pre-date your tenancy under French law (loi Alur).
- DIY treatments are often illegal or unsafe (rodenticides in shared areas, nest removal of Asian hornets, etc.).
- Always call a licensed Certibiocide technician for any persistent infestation — same-day appointments available.
In this article — 8 Paris pests covered
Tap any pest below to jump to its detailed section.
Detailed pest profiles
Biology overview, hiding spots, prevention & warnings — with French legal context where it applies.
Suspect an infestation right now?
Our certified team responds in under 2 hours across all Paris arrondissements and Île-de-France. We speak English on request and handle everything from first inspection to landlord paperwork.
+33 1 72 68 22 06 — Free diagnosisWhat every Parisian tenant should know
Loi Alur (2014)
Landlords must provide accommodation free of pests. If the infestation pre-dates your tenancy, treatment is at their cost.
Loi ELAN (2018)
Tenants share responsibility for upkeep. Notify your landlord in writing the moment you detect a pest.
Bed bug certification
In Paris, an état d'infestation certificate is now standard with rental agreements. Ask for it before signing.
Licensed operators only
Some biocidal products (rodenticides, professional sprays) are restricted to Certibiocide-certified technicians.
Reporting outdoor pests
Rats and Asian hornet nests in public spaces should be reported to the Mairie de Paris at 3975.
6 general prevention tips for any Paris flat
Whatever the pest, these six habits will dramatically reduce your risk in a Parisian apartment.
Inspect every second-hand item (furniture, suitcases, books) before bringing it inside.
Seal gaps around pipes, windows, and electrical outlets with silicone or expanding foam.
Store all dry food in glass or hard plastic containers — never in cardboard or paper bags.
Empty bins daily, especially in summer. Use bins with sealed lids.
Report any pre-existing pest issue to your landlord in writing (recommandé avec accusé de réception).
When in doubt, call a licensed Certibiocide technician — DIY almost always makes infestations worse.
Attrape Nuisibles — Certibiocide-licensed since 2018
This guide was written by the technical team at Attrape Nuisibles, a pest control company serving Paris and Île-de-France. Our technicians hold the official Certibiocide certification from the French Ministry of Ecological Transition and have completed thousands of interventions across the capital. We speak English on request and handle everything from first inspection to landlord paperwork.
We respond across Paris & Île-de-France
Whether you live in central Paris (all 20 arrondissements), or in the suburbs such as Levallois-Perret, Saint-Denis, Issy-les-Moulineaux, or any of the surrounding departments (92, 93, 94, 78, 91, 95, 77), our Certibiocide-licensed technicians respond in under 2 hours, 24/7, with no weekend or night surcharge.
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Our Certibiocide-licensed technicians respond in under 2 hours across Paris and Île-de-France. Callback within 30 minutes of your request. English-speaking team on request.