Tuesday 17 January 2023

Chicago: BedBug Capitol of USA (Los Angeles makes big leap upwards, into top 5)

Chicago tops list of 50 U.S cities with the worst bed bug problem for the third year in a row - where does your city rank?

  • Chicago is the number one city on Orkin's Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List this year
  • The Windy City is followed by New York and Philadelphia with worst bed bugs  
  • Los Angeles saw the largest jump this year, moving up seven spots
  • The list is based on treatment data from cities where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022

Chicago is once again the most bed bug-infested city in the United States, followed by New York and Philadelphia.

The Windy City has claimed the top spot on Orkin's Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List for the third year in a row.

Los Angeles made a massive leap this year, moving up seven spots into the top five cities with the worst bed big problems. The other city in the top five is Cleveland.

Orkin released the list ahead of 'National Shop for Travel Day' on January 10 as Americans begin to book hotels and plan their vacations for the upcoming year. 

The Windy City has claimed the top spot on Orkin's Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List for the third year in a row, followed by New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles which moved up seven spots

The Windy City has claimed the top spot on Orkin's Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List for the third year in a row, followed by New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles which moved up seven spots

A map shows the top 10 cities where bed bug problems are the worse, according to Orkin

A map shows the top 10 cities where bed bug problems are the worse, according to Orkin 

The list released by Orkin is based on treatment data from where the most bed bug treatments were performed between December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022. 

Both residential and commercial treatments were included in the rankings. 

Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep, according to the CDC. 

Sometimes the itching can lead to excessive scratching that can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.

Reactions to a bite can vary by person and can range from an absence of any physical signs of the bite, to a small bite mark, to a serious allergic reaction. 

Orkin released the list of cities with the worst pest problem along with information about bed bugs and prevention tips to help travelers know how to identify and thoroughly check for bed bugs at hotel rooms while taking care not to bring the pests into their own homes.

New York City landed on the number two spot on the list, moving up one spot from last year

New York City landed on the number two spot on the list, moving up one spot from last year

Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep

Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep

The top 10 most bed bug-infested US cities

1. Chicago

2. New York 

3. Philadelphia 

4. Cleveland-Akron, Ohio

5. Los Angeles

6. Detroit 

7. Indianapolis 

8. Baltimore 

9. Washington, D.C. 

10. Columbus, Ohio

Source: Orkin 

'Bed bugs are extremely resilient, making them difficult to control. 

As people begin to ramp up their travel plans this year, it's important they know how to protect themselves through pest identification and proper control,' Ben Hottel, Orkin entomologist said.

'Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, but are excellent at hiding. Involving a trained professional at the sight of a bed bug introduction is recommended.'

Bed bugs are 3/16 inch long, red to dark brown in color and are mostly nocturnal insects that come out of hiding to take blood meals from sleeping humans, according to Orkin. 

The bugs are hematophagous, meaning blood is their only food source. 

However, they can survive for several months while waiting for their next blood meal and emerge when their food source appears. 

Experts say the pests can travel from place to place with ease, clinging to items such as luggage, purses and other personal belongings.

Bed bugs are also known for rapid population growth and can produce one to five eggs a day and may lay 200 to 500 eggs in their lifetime.

Experts say travelers should be aware of bed bug infestations in hotels, but also of the pests hitchhiking on luggage and on public transportation. 

'While it's important to be aware of bed bug infestations within hotels, practicing precautions in other aspects of travel are also important,' Hottel said.   

'Taxis, buses and airplanes are also common bed bug hiding places, allowing these pests an opportunity to hitch a ride with unsuspecting travelers.'

Philadelphia rounded out the top three having moved down one spot from last year

Philadelphia rounded out the top three having moved down one spot from last year

When traveling, use the acronym S.L.E.E.P. to inspect for bed bugs 

Survey the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Be on the lookout for tiny, ink-colored stains on mattress seams, in soft furniture and behind headboards.

Lift and look in bed bug hiding spots: the mattress, box spring and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures and even torn wallpaper.

Elevate luggage away from the bed and wall. The safest places are in the bathroom or on counters.

Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and once you return home from a trip. Always store luggage away from the bed.

Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for at least 30-45 minutes at the highest setting after you return home.

Source: Orkin

He continued: 'Examining clothing and luggage regularly while traveling can help to catch a bed bug infestation in the early stages.'

Orkin released proactive tips recommended for homeowners and travelers to prevent bed bugs, which include inspecting your home for signs of bed bugs regularly, checking the places where bed bugs hide during the day.

This includes mattress tags and seams, and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets and picture frames. 

Experts say that decreasing clutter around the home will make it easier to spot bed bugs and that all secondhand furniture should be examined before bringing it inside the home.

FULL LIST OF TOP 50 US CITIES WITH WORST BED BUG PROBLEMS

The list is based on treatment data from cities where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022.

1. Chicago, New York (moved up one spot)

2. Philadelphia (moved down one spot)

3. Cleveland-Akron, OH (moved up four spots)

4. Los Angeles (moved up seven spots)

5. Detroit (moved down two spots)

6. Indianapolis (moved down one spot)

7. Baltimore (moved down three spots)

8. Washington, D.C. (moved down two spots)

9. Columbus, OH (moved down one spot)

10. Champaign, IL (moved up two spots)

11. Grand Rapids, MI (moved down one spot)

12. Cincinnati (moved down three spots)

13. Charlotte (moved up one spot)

14. Denver (moved up two spots)

15. Atlanta (moved down two spots)

16. Dallas-Ft. Worth (moved down one spot)

17. Pittsburgh (moved up two spots)

18. Charleston, W.V. (moved up three spots)

19. Raleigh-Durham (moved up four spots)

20. Flint, MI (moved up two spots)

21. San Francisco (moved down three spots)

22. Norfolk, VA (moved up two spots)

23. Greenville, SC (moved down three spots)

25. St. Louis (moved down seven spots)

26. Richmond, VA 

27. Youngstown (moved up 10 spots)

28. South Bend, IN (moved up five spots)

29. Buffalo, NY (moved down one spot)

30. Knoxville (moved down one spot)

31. Cedar Rapids, IA (moved down one spot)

32. Omaha, NE (moved down five spots)

33. Nashville (moved up one spot)

34. Dayton, OH (moved down two spots)

35. Ft. Wayne, IN (moved up one spot)

36. Harrisburg (moved up six spots)

37. Davenport (moved down two spots)

38. Toledo (moved down seven spots)

39. Seattle (moved up five spots)

40. Milwaukee (moved down two spots)

41. Tampa (moved down one spot)

42. Lansing, MI (moved up six spots)

43. Greensboro, N.C.

44. Houston (moved down three spots)

45. Miami (moved down six spots)

46. Lexington, KY (moved up one spot)

47. Orlando (moved down one spot)

48. Peoria (moved down three spots)

49. Louisville, KY (moved down three spots)

50. Lincoln, NE

Source: Orkin

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