STATEN ISLAND, NY – They eat human blood while you sleep and they can be difficult to spot. But with New York City having the second highest number of bed bug treatments of any US city last year, according to a recent study, New Yorkers should definitely be on the lookout for the pests.
Bedbugs are hematophagous, meaning blood is their only meal—always. And they’re known for their rapid population growth, with females laying one to five eggs each day.
Chicago holds the top spot on Orkin’s list of the 50 best bed bug cities for the third year in a row, while Philadelphia came in third.
detect bed bugs
Orkin has provided homeowners and travelers with the following proactive tips to prevent bed bug infestations. Though difficult to spot, the pests are visible to the naked eye, experts say.
When you check into a hotel room, Orkin said you should do a full inspection before unpacking. The experts recommend using the acronym SLEEP when screening for bed bugs.
1. Inspect the hotel room for signs of an infestation, including colored stains on mattress seams, in soft furniture, and behind headboards.
2. Lift up and look inside mattresses, box springs, furniture, behind baseboards, pictures and even into torn wallpaper.
3. Lift the luggage away from the bed and walls. It’s safest to keep bags on a counter or in the bathroom.
4. Examine your luggage carefully when you return home and keep it away from your bed.
5. Put all dryer-safe clothing in the dryer immediately when you return. Run the dryer on the highest setting for at least 30 to 45 minutes.
Bed bugs are 4mm to 5mm in size, dark brown and wingless, with a flat, oval-shaped body, according to Orkin.
Symptoms of bed bug bites
Some people who have been bitten by bed bugs develop itching, red welts, or swelling the day after the bite. However, keep in mind that in some individuals, bites may not be visible for several days or at all. And many people don’t react at all to a bed bug bite – many bites leave no trace and go completely unnoticed.
Cities with bed bugs
Chicago holds the top spot on Orkin’s list of the 50 best bed bug cities for the third year in a row, while Philadelphia came in third.
Los Angeles made the biggest jump that year, moving up seven spots in the top five, with Cleveland (4) and Raleigh (20) each moving up four spots on the list.
Below is a list of metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022.
1.Chicago
2. New York
3.Philadelphia
4. Cleveland-Akron, Ohio
5.Los Angeles
6.Detroit
7. Indianapolis
8. Baltimore
9. Washington
10. Columbus, Ohio
11. Champaign, Illinois
12. Grand Rapids, Michigan
13. Cincinnati
14.Charlotte
15. Denver
16.Atlanta
17. Dallas-Fort Worth
18. Charleston, West Virginia
19. Raleigh-Durham
20. Flintstone, Michigan
21. San Francisco
22.Norfolk, Virginia
23. Greenville, SC
24. St Louis
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