Chicago has ranked first on Orkin’s list of the top 50 bed bug cities for the second year in a row, the pest control company announced Monday.
The company compiled the list based on data from metropolitan areas where it performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021, according to a press release.
Philadelphia and New York finished second and third, respectively, and saw the biggest jumps — with Philadelphia moving up 12 spots and New York climbing nine spots on the list.
Along with Chicago, two other Illinois cities also made the top 50 — Champaign, which landed at #13, and Peoria, which landed at #45.
Red to dark brown in color, bed bugs can travel with ease and cling to items such as luggage, purses, and other personal belongings.
The insects, known for their rapid population growth, can survive for several months while waiting for their next “blood meal,” making them more likely to emerge when humans are available, Orkin said.
“Bed bugs are a problem for everyone because they’re masterful hitchhikers, traveling home with people when they probably don’t realize it,” said Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist, in a news release. “Their mode of hiding is difficult to understand – finding cracks and crevices can make them difficult to control, so it’s recommended that a trained professional be consulted upon seeing an introduction.”
To prevent bed bugs in your home, professionals recommend that you specifically check the spots where they hide during the day, such as B. Mattress labels and seams, behind baseboards, sockets and picture frames. Orkin also advises people to reduce clutter to make the insects easier to spot. Additionally, it is recommended that you examine used furniture before bringing it into your home.
The full list of Orkin bed bug towns is below:
- Chicago
- Philadelphia (+12)
- New York (+9)
- Detroit
- Baltimore (-3)
- Indianapolis (+1)
- Washington, D.C. (-4)
- Cleveland, Ohio (-2)
- Columbus, Ohio (-4)
- Cincinnati (-2)
- Grand Rapids, Michigan (-1)
- Los Angeles (-3)
- Champaign, IL (+2)
- Atlanta (-1)
- Charlotte, N.C. (-4)
- Dallas-Ft. value
- Denver (+3)
- St.Louis, MO (+7)
- San Francisco (+3)
- Pittsburgh (-1)
- Greenville, SC (+2)
- Charleston, West Virginia (-4)
- Flint, MI (-2)
- Raleigh, NC (-7)
- Norfolk, Virginia (-1)
- Richmond, Va
- Omaha (+3)
- Buffalo, New York (+1)
- Knoxville (+7)
- Cedar Rapids, IA (+5)
- Toledo, Ohio (-4)
- Dayton, Ohio (-4)
- South Bend, IN (+8)
- Nashville (-3)
- Davenport, IA (+3)
- feet Wayne, IN (-3)
- Youngstown (+3)
- Milwaukee (-6)
- Miami (+8)
- Tampa (-1)
- Houston (-4)
- Harrisburg (new to list)
- Greensboro, NC (-9)
- Seattle
- Peoria, IL (+4)
- Orlando (-1)
- Lexington, Kentucky (-4)
- Lansing, MI
- Louisville, Kentucky (-3)
- Lincoln, NE (new to list)
