KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – A new report from Orkin states that Knoxville is one of the top cities for bed bugs in the country.
The city ranks 36th on the list, behind Cedar Rapids and above Houston. Number one on the list is Chicago.
Orkin based the report on “treatment data from the subway areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2019 to November 30, 2020. The ranking includes both inpatient and commercial treatments. “
“Bed bugs are a problem for everyone because they are hitchhikers and travel home with people when they are unlikely to realize it,” said Ben Hottel, an orkin entomologist. “Their way of hiding in hard-to-find cracks and crevices, once inserted into a room, can make them difficult to control. Therefore, it is recommended that a trained professional be consulted upon viewing an insertion.”
According to Insider, here are a few tips to help prevent bed bug infestation in your home:
- 1. Familiarize yourself with signs of bed bugs. Bed bugs are oval, flat, brown, and wingless insects that are about an inch long. They can be found in box spring beds, mattresses, bed frames, wall sockets, floor cracks, and behind clocks and pictures.
- 2. Check the bed of your hotel or rental home.
- 3. Protect your bed at home. Buying mattress covers, box spring covers, and bed bug interceptors is an easy way to protect yourself from future bed bug-related problems.
- 4. Be careful when buying used furniture.
- 5. Guard your suitcase. Since bed bugs like to hitchhike, it is important to protect your suitcase from living things while on vacation or business trips.
- 6. After a vacation, wash all of your clothes – including parts that you haven’t worn.
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