Orkin just released its list of the cities in the United States with the most bed bugs, and one city in Indiana made it to the top of the list.
You’ve probably heard your parents say “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite you” when they put you to bed as a child. Nine times out of ten, bed bugs weren’t anything that people really needed to worry about in their homes. Hell, you might have thought it was just a silly line your parents would say just for fun. However, bed bugs are very real. According to Orkin:
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.
Speaking of Orkin, they just released their annual list of the cities with the most bed bugs. Each year, Orkin ranks the top 50 cities with the most bed bugs by looking at how many people had to use exterminators over the past 12 months. Chicago ranked first for the third straight year, but one Indiana city made the top 10 this year.
Indiana City with the most bed bugs
According to Orkin’s report, Indianapolis is the seventh worst city in the country for bed bugs. This includes both residential and commercial buildings. Other Indiana cities that made the top 50 list this year include South Bend at #28 and Ft. Wayne at 35.
Ben Hottel, Orkin Entomologist says:
“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.”
At the end of the report, Orkin offers you some proactive bed bug prevention tips at home and while travelling. More information and the full list can be found here.
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