According to a new ranking released this week, Chicago topped an interesting list as it is now the metropolitan area with the highest number of bed bug treatment calls in the United States.
The ranking published by Orkin is based on the number of bed bug treatments performed between December 2019 and November 2020.
“Despite less travel in 2020, bed bugs were still biting in Chicago, a popular hub for tourism,” the company said. “The Windy City normally welcomes more than 48 million visitors annually and has a local transport system of buses and trains that transport 1.7 million passengers on an average weekday – a dream for bed bugs.”
Baltimore, Washington, DC, Detroit and Columbus round out the top 5. Cleveland jumped five places to sixth and Indianapolis jumped two places to seventh on the list.
Champaign, home of the University of Illinois, rose one place to 15th on the list. The Peoria-Bloomington subway area is new to the list this year, rising to number 49.
“Bed bugs are a problem for everyone because they are master hitchhikers and travel home with people when they are unlikely to realize it,” said Ben Hottel, an orkin entomologist. “Because they hide in hard-to-find crevices and crevices once inserted into a room, they can be difficult to control, so it is recommended that a trained professional be consulted when viewing an insertion.”
To avoid bed bugs, Orkin gave several tips, including examining hotel rooms for signs of infestation. Tiny, black stains on mattress seams, on upholstered furniture and behind headboards are tell-tale signs of bed bugs, according to the company.
Bed bugs can also hide under mattresses, in box spring beds, and other furniture.
Travelers are also advised to keep their luggage off the floor and instead place it on a counter or in the bathroom.
After travelers return home, it is recommended that tumble-dry clothes be put in the dryer on the highest setting for at least 45 minutes.
