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The Windy City is named the #1 city on Orkin’s 50 Best Bed Bug Cities list for the third year running.
Chicago, Illinois, New York City, and Philadelphia, Pa. hold onto the top three sports, taking first, second, and third place respectively. Los Angeles, California saw the biggest jump that year, moving up seven spots to No. 5, while Cleveland, Ohio and Raleigh, NC each moved up four spots on the list.
The Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022. The list includes both residential and commercial treatments.
- Chicago, Illinois.
- New York, NY (+1)
- Philly, Pa. (-1)
- Cleveland-Akron, Ohio (+4)
- Los Angeles, California (+7)
- Detroit, Mich. (-2)
- Indianapolis, Indiana (-1)
- Baltimore, Maryland (-3)
- Washington, D.C. (-2)
- Columbus, Ohio (-1)
- Champaign, IL (+2)
- Grand Rapids, Michigan (-1)
- Cincinnati, Ohio (-3)
- Charlotte, NC (+1)
- Denver, Colorado (+2)
- Atlanta, Georgia (-2)
- Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (-1)
- Pittsburgh, Pa. (+2)
- Charleston, West Virginia (+2)
- Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (+4)
- Feuerstein, Mich. (+2)
- San Francisco, California (-3)
- Norfolk, Va. (+2)
- Greenville, SC (-3)
- Louis, Mon (-7)
- Richmond, Va.
- Youngstown, Ohio (+10)
- South Bend, Ind. (+5)
- Buffalo, New York (-1)
- Knoxville, Kentucky (-1)
- Cedar Rapids, Michigan (-1)
- Omaha, Neb (-5)
- Nashville, Tennessee (+1)
- Dayton, Ohio (-2)
- Wayne, Ind. (+1)
- Harrisburg, PA (+6)
- Davenport, Iowa (-2)
- Toledo, Ohio (-7)
- Seattle, Washington (+5)
- Milwaukee, WI (-2)
- Tampa, Fla. (-1)
- Lansing, Michigan (+6)
- Greensboro, NC
- Houston, Texas (-3)
- Miami, Florida (-6)
- Lexington, Kentucky (+1)
- Orlando, Florida (-1)
- Peoria, IL (-3)
- Louisville, Kentucky (-3)
- Lincoln, Neb.
“Bed bugs are extremely resilient, which makes them difficult to control. As people begin to bulk up their travel plans this year, it’s important they know how to protect themselves through pest identification and appropriate control,” Ben Hottel, Orkin’s entomologist, said in the release. “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.”
Here are proactive tips Orkin recommends pest control professionals to tell homeowners and travelers to prevent bed bugs:
Home:
- Check your home regularly for signs of bed bugs. Check spots where bed bugs hide during the day, including mattress labels and seams, and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets, and picture frames. Check when moving in, after a trip, when a service employee visits or after guests have stayed overnight.
- Reduce the clutter in your home, making it easier for you to spot bed bugs yourself or during professional inspections.
- Examine all used furniture before bringing it into your home.
While traveling, remember the acronym SLEEP to check for bed bugs:
- opinion poll the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Look for tiny, inky stains on mattress seams, in upholstery, and behind headboards.
- Elevator and look into the hiding places of bed bugs: the mattress, duvet and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures and even torn wallpaper.
- raise Keep luggage away from bed and wall. The safest places are in the bathroom or on countertops.
- Test Your luggage when repacking and when you return home from a trip. Always keep luggage away from the bed.
- location When you get home, put all clothes in your luggage that are suitable for tumble drying in the dryer for at least 30-45 minutes on the highest setting.
