Consider these bed bug prevention tips as you shop for 2023 travel
ATLANTA, January 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Windy City establishes itself as the No. 1 city on Orkin’s Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list for the third year running. Chicago, new York and Philadelphia Stick to the top three in first, second, and third place. The angel saw the biggest jump of the year, moving up seven places into the top five Cleveland (#4) and Raleigh (#20) each move up four places in the list.
Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and are typically reddish brown. Their small size and ability to hide make them difficult to see during the day, so it’s important to look for the black, ink-like smudges they can leave behind.
With “National Shop for Travel Day” takes place on 10. Januarytravelers are reminded to start planning their vacation, including finding travel accommodation. As Americans begin booking hotels for 2023 and beyond, it’s crucial for travelers to know how to spot and thoroughly investigate bed bugs in hotel rooms (and beyond) while being careful not to let the pests into their own four walls.
The list is based on treatment data from the metropolitan areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022. The ranking includes both inpatient and commercial treatments.
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Typically 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. These pests are hematophagous, meaning blood is their only source of food. You can easily travel from place to place and hold on to items like luggage, purses, and other personal belongings.
“Bed bugs are extremely resilient, which makes them difficult to control. As people start to bulk up their travel plans this year, it’s important they know how to protect themselves through pest detection and appropriate control,” he said Ben Hotel, Orkin Entomologist. “Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are visible to the naked eye but are excellent at hiding. It is recommended that a trained professional be consulted upon seeing a bed bug introduction.”
Bed bugs are known for rapid population growth. Female bed bugs can lay one to five eggs per day and can lay 200 to 500 eggs in their lifetime. They can survive for several months while awaiting their next blood meal, so they’re likely to emerge when a food source, such as a food source, becomes available. B. humans or animals, becomes available.
“While it is important to be aware of bed bug infestations in hotels, taking precautions in other aspects of travel is also important. Taxis, buses and airplanes are also common hideouts for bed bugs, giving these pests a chance to ride along with unsuspecting travelers. Regular inspection of clothing and luggage when traveling can help detect a bed bug infestation at an early stage,” says Hottel.
Here are proactive tips Orkin recommends for homeowners and travelers to help prevent bed bugs:
Home:
- Check your home regularly for signs of bed bugs. Check spots where bed bugs hide during the day, including mattress labels and seams, and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets, and picture frames. Check when moving in, after a trip, when a service employee visits or after guests have stayed overnight.
- Reduce the clutter in your home, making it easier for you to spot bed bugs yourself or during professional inspections.
- Examine all used furniture before bringing it into your home.
While traveling, remember the acronym SLEEP to check for bed bugs:
- Check the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Look for tiny, inky stains on mattress seams, in upholstery, and behind headboards.
- Lift bed bug hideouts and look for: mattresses, box springs and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures and even torn wallpaper.
- Lift the luggage away from the bed and the wall. The safest places are in the bathroom or on countertops.
- Examine your luggage carefully when repacking and when returning home from a trip. Always keep luggage away from the bed.
- After you return home, place any dryer-safe items in your luggage in the dryer on the highest setting for at least 30-45 minutes.
With more than 125 years of bed bug experience and state-of-the-art tools and products, Orkin is well-equipped to assess your bed bug problem, provide training for understaffed hospitality teams, and find a strategic answer to eliminate your home of the pest while providing maximum protection .
For more information on bed bug prevention and control, visit Orkin.com or contact your local Orkin office.
About Orkin, LLC
founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection from termite damage, rodents and insects. Orkin has 358 owned and operated locations and 47 franchises across the United States. The company also has international franchises and subsidiaries in Canada, Europe, Central America, South Americathe Caribbeanthe middle East, Asiathe Mediterranean, Africaand Mexico. For more than 120 years, Orkin has been committed to protecting public health by helping prevent and control pests and educating consumers about the potential health risks these pests pose. As such, Orkin professionals always put the customer first and approach every opportunity with the utmost professionalism and the knowledge and skill to solve any pest problem. Orkin has been the American’s partner since 2020 Red Cross® to educate the public about the health hazards posed by mosquitoes and at the same time to promote the blood supply of our country through monetary donations and blood donations. Orkin is committed to hiring the best in the world to help protect the places where we live, work and play. Learn more about careers at Orkin here. Visit Orkin.com for more information. Orkin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL). Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
SOURCE Orkin, LLC
