Mattress bugs are crawling throughout Michigan: Methods to spot the stealthy blood-eaters

They almost never hide in plain sight, sneaking out while we sleep to feast on our blood. Bed bugs are everywhere in Michigan, with four cities across the state ranked among the worst in the country on Orkin’s 2023 list of bed bug cities.

Detroit is the sixth-worst city in the country for bed bugs, with Grand Rapids at number 12. Flint is at number 21 and Lansing is at number 42. The ranking is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin says it was from December 2021 to November 2022 performed most bed bug treatments.

Bed bugs can actually survive for several months without food while waiting to feed on a human or animal. Here are ways you can identify the bugs and prevent them from infesting your home or hotel room.

IDENTIFY Bed bugs are small, about 3/16 inch long. They are red to dark brown in color and are mostly nocturnal insects. Blood is their only source of food, and according to Orkin entomologist Ben Hottel, while bedbugs are excellent at hiding, they are, contrary to popular belief, visible to the naked eye.

“Bed bugs are extremely resilient, which makes them difficult to control,” Hottel said. “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.”

HOW THEY TRAVEL Bed bugs can easily travel from place to place, typically clinging to things like luggage, bags, purses, and other personal items. When travelling, you should regularly check your clothing and luggage. This can help identify a bed bug infestation in the early stages.

“While it’s important to be aware of bed bug infestations in hotels, taking precautions in other aspects of travel is also important,” Hottel added. “Cabs, buses and airplanes are also common hideouts for bed bugs, giving these pests a chance to ride along with unsuspecting travelers.

HOME INSPECTION According to Orkin, you should regularly check your home for bed bugs and check spots where they often hide, like mattress labels and seams, behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets and picture frames.

You should inspect when you move into a new home, come home after a trip, or when someone visits your home.

TRAVEL INVESTIGATION Orkin says that when you travel, you should 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 up and search inside bed bug hideouts like 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. Orkin says the best spots are in the bathroom or on counters.
• 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.

If you spot bed bugs, Orkin recommends hiring a professional to rid your home of the pests.

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