Keeping bed bugs from biting is a lot harder in four Michigan cities, all of which rank in the top 50 nationwide for the small, oval-shaped, tan-colored bugs.
Orkin released its 2023 bed bug cities list, and Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia made the top three spots for the third straight year.
In Michigan, Detroit is the sixth-worst city in the country for bed bugs, down two spots from last year. Grand Rapids is in 12th place, down one spot. Flint is 21st, up two places, and Lansing is 42nd, up six places.
The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin says it performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022. The ranking includes both domestic and commercial treatments.
“Bed bugs are extremely resilient, which makes them difficult to control,” said Ben Hottel, Orkin’s entomologist. “As people begin to bulk up their travel plans this year, it’s important they know how to protect themselves through pest detection and appropriate control. 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 about 3/16 inch long and red to dark brown in color. They are usually nocturnal and come out of hiding to eat blood from sleeping humans. Blood is their only source of sustenance.
Bed bugs typically travel by clinging to items such as luggage, purses, and other personal items. And they don’t have to eat often. They can actually survive for several months without blood.
“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. Regularly examining clothing and luggage when traveling can help detect bed bug infestations at an early stage,” adds Hottel.
Here is the list of Orkin bed bug cities for 2023:
- Chicago
- New York (+1)
- Philly (-1)
- Cleveland-Akron, OH (+4)
- Los Angeles (+7)
- Detroit (-2)
- Indianapolis (-1)
- Baltimore (-3)
- Washington, D.C. (-2)
- Columbus, Ohio (-1)
- Champaign, IL (+2)
- Grand Rapids, Michigan (-1)
- Cincinnati (-3)
- Charlotte (+1)
- Denver (+2)
- Atlanta (-2)
- Dallas-Ft. value (-1)
- Pittsburgh (+2)
- Charleston, West Virginia (+3)
- Raleigh Durham (+4)
- Flint, MI (+2)
- San Francisco (-3)
- Norfolk, VA (+2)
- Greenville, SC (-3)
- Saint Louis (-7)
- Richmond, Va
- Youngstown (+10)
- South Bend, IN (+5)
- Buffalo, New York (-1)
- Knoxville (-1)
- Cedar Rapids, IA (-1)
- Omaha, New Zealand (-5)
- Nashville (+1)
- Dayton, Ohio (-2)
- feet Wayne, IN (+1)
- Harrisburg (+6)
- Davenport (-2)
- Toledo (-7)
- Seattle (+5)
- Milwaukee (-2)
- Tampa (-1)
- Lansing, MI (+6)
- Greensboro, NC
- Houston (-3)
- Miami (-6)
- Lexington, Kentucky (+1)
- Orlando (-1)
- Peoria (-3)
- Louisville, Kentucky (-3)
- Lincoln, Ne
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