Denver ranks high 15 for worst mattress bug cities in US

DENVER (KDPR) — Denver was just ranked by Orkin as one of the worst cities for bed bugs for 2023.

According to Orkin, the list is based on treatment data from metropolitan areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022.

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Denver ranks 15th on the list, which is higher than the 17th place the city was ranked at in 2022.

Here’s a look at the 15 worst cities for bed bugs, according to Orkin:

1. Chicago
2. new York
3. Philadelphia
4. Cleveland-Akron, OH
5. The angel
6. Detroit
7. Indianapolis
8. Baltimore
9. Washington, D.C
10. Columbus, OH
11. Champaign, IL
12. Grand Rapids, MI
13. cincinnati
14. Charlotte
15. Denver

Orkin said bed bugs are typically 3/16 inches long, red to dark brown in color, and are primarily nocturnal insects that come out of hiding to take blood meals from sleeping people.

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“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 during travel can help identify a bed bug infestation in the early stages,” said Ben Hottel, Orkin’s entomologist.

How to check for bed bugs when traveling

ORKIN said if you’re traveling, consider the “SLEEP” method to check for bed bugs:

• S:Search the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Look for tiny, inky stains on mattress seams, in upholstery, and behind headboards.
• L:Check inside bed bug hideouts: mattresses, box springs, and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures, and even torn wallpaper.
• E:Lift the luggage away from the bed and the wall. The safest places are in the bathroom or on countertops.
• E:Examine your luggage carefully when repacking and upon returning from a trip. Always keep luggage away from the bed.
• P:When you get home, thread all of the clothes in your luggage that are suitable for tumble drying into the dryer for at least 30-45 minutes on the highest setting.

The full ranking can be found here

Bed bugs feed on blood, and bites can cause itching, irritation, and sometimes infection from scratching.

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