Stuffed animals rarely have issues. And when they do, they are mostly the one needing help. For example – bed bugs. These bugs are quite the problem in many US cities. And Baltimore tops the list once again.
The data comes from Orkin which released its chart for the top bed bug cities in the USA. The company used treatment data from the metro areas where it performed the most treatments for bed bugs.
Baltimore tops the list once again. The list covers the period from December 1, 2016 to November 30, 2017. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.
The top 10 list is as follows:
- Baltimore
- Washington, D.C.
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Columbus, Ohio
- Cincinnati
- Detroit
- New York
- San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose
- Dallas-Fort Worth
“The number of bed bug infestations in the United States is still rising,” says Dr. Tim Husen, an Orkin entomologist to Patch. “They continue to invade our homes and businesses on a regular basis because they are not seasonal pests, and only need blood to survive. Any type of home is prone to bud begs. It has nothing to do with sanitation. We have treated for bed bugs everywhere, from newly built upscale homes to public housing.”
Tips on how to detect bed bugs and stop them from spreading
Orkin also gives these tips:
At home:
- Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs regularly. Check the places where bed bugs hide during the day, including mattress tags and seams, and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets and picture frames.
- Decrease clutter around your home to make it easier to spot bed bugs on your own or during professional inspections.
- Inspect all secondhand furniture before bringing it inside your home. This is a common way for bed bugs to be introduced into homes.
- Dry potentially infested bed linens, curtains and stuffed animals on the hottest temperature allowed for the fabric.
During travel, remember the acronym S.L.E.E.P to inspect for bed bugs:
- Survey the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Be on the lookout for tiny, ink-colored stains on mattress seams, in soft furniture and behind headboards.
- Lift and look in bed bug hiding spots: the mattress, box spring, and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures and even torn wallpaper.
- Elevate luggage away from the bed and wall. The safest places are in the bathroom or on counters.
- Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and once you return home from a trip. Always store luggage away from the bed.
- Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at the highest setting after you return home.
Bed bugs are an elusive threat to your household and beyond, as they can reproduce quickly and travel on your belongings, so it’s critical to detect and treat for them as early as possible. Anyone who suspects a bed bug infestation should contact a pest management professional immediately, the company says.
