Toronto tops Orkin’s listing of Canada’s worst mattress bug cities

Despite a 20 percent year-over-year drop in sightings, Canada’s largest pest control company says Toronto has topped the list of the best bed bug cities in the country for two years in a row.

In a press release, Orkin Canada says that while Toronto ranks first, five other areas in Ontario also made the top 10.

Sudbury finished second, Oshawa third, Scarborough seventh, Whitby eighth and Ottawa tenth.

Vancouver, Winnipeg, St. John’s, and Edmonton also made the list.

Results are based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments Orkin performed from January 1 to December 31, 2020.

And while it may be worrying to see your city’s name on the list, the company states that bed bug sightings have been decreasing year after year, thanks to public health efforts to fight COVID-19 .

“Travel bans, stay-at-home orders, and a general shift to remote work have resulted in reduced mobility for these hitchhikers for the first time since Orkin Canada’s annual survey was published five years ago,” the press release said.

However, the company says that after the economy revived, bed bugs will be back in business too.

“Because of their ability to double the population roughly every 16 days, bedbugs shouldn’t have a hard time getting a grip on the Canadian market again.”

In the meantime, Canadians concerned about possible infection are encouraged to carefully inspect bags and clothing, inspect any used or returned office furniture, and dry any potentially infected bedding or clothing on the highest heat setting.