Eww.
They may be creepy, crawly, and downright disgusting, but they’re extremely common in Vancouver.
Every year, the pest control company Orkin tops its list of the best bed bug towns in Canada. The company obtained its latest rankings based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments carried out in each city between January 1 and December 31, 2020.
According to Orkin, the ranking shows “the national extent of this growing problem”.
Canada’s most bedridden city is Toronto, followed by Sudbury, Ontario in second place. The third most common city in Canada is Oshawa, Ontario.
This year, Vancouver ranked fourth on the list, an improvement over last year when the city was the third most popular in Canada. It was also the only city in British Columbia to be included in the ranking.
Winnipeg rounded out the top 5, with St. John’s being the sixth most infested. Scarborough finished seventh and Whitby eighth. Edmonton ranked ninth with Canada’s capital Ottawa, rounding out the top 10 bed bug cities.
. With the photo above Orkin Canada
Bed bugs are hitchhikers
Orkin also advises residents that the annoying animals could find a new home in winter. Unfortunately, bed bugs are savvy hitchhikers, and they can thrive in either clean or dirty homes.
Since bed bugs are talented home hoppers, early detection is the best way to reduce the chance of an infestation.
The creepy crawlers can easily move around a room in just one night, climbing on luggage or anything that’s on a bed
Some things you can do to reduce your risk of picking up bed bugs while traveling include:
- Do not place your clothes or luggage directly on the bed. If bed bugs are present in the bed, they can climb into bags, suitcases, or laundry that are still on the bed.
- Always use metal luggage racks. Bed bugs cannot easily climb onto metal surfaces, making them an ideal overnight place for your suitcase. Keep the rack away from the walls and wooden furniture.
- Use small plastic bags to pack clothes, shoes, and other personal items. This will prevent bed bugs climbing into your suitcase from entering your home with your clothes. Bed bugs can also hide in books, toiletries, and other non-metal personal items.
- Hotels aren’t the only bed bug threats. Bed bugs thrive in dark, cool places with long-term access to people. They can also be found in airplane and train seats, buses, or in rental cars. It is rare, but it is possible to pick up bed bugs in such places.
