Just about every city in America has something it can claim that it’s got the best of. But the last thing a local chamber of commerce would like to advertise is that it’s got more bed bugs than anyplace else!
Now, on top of its hot dogs and pizza, the Bulls and the Bears, and a history full of gangsters, Chicago can boast that it is the worst city in America for bed bugs, according to an annual study from Orkin.
New Yorkers and Philadelphians don't have much to cheer about, either. New York has the second-worst bed bug problem and Philadelphia is third.
The problem is increasing in Greensboro, N.C. That metro gained the most ground this year, moving up 25 spots, followed by Milwaukee (#25) and Tampa (#31).
The only two towns in the U.S. that can feel good about the results of this study are Louisville and Lexington, Ky., which finished last. Maybe bed bugs don’t like bourbon.
The Bed Bug Top 50
Here’s the whole list of bed bug-infested cities based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from Dec. 1, 2022 – Nov. 30, 2023. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.
Chicago
New York
Philadelphia
Cleveland-Akron
Los Angeles
Detroit
Washington, D.C. (+2)
Indianapolis (-1)
Charlotte (+5)
Champaign, Ill. (+1)
Columbus, Ohio (-1)
Cincinnati (+1)
Atlanta (+3)
Grand Rapids, Mich. (-2)
Denver
Baltimore (-8)
Richmond, Va. (+9)
Greensboro, N.C. (+25)
St. Louis (+6)
Youngstown, Ohio (+7)
Pittsburgh (-3)
Dallas-Ft. Worth (-5)
Flint, Mich. (-2)
Raleigh-Durham (-4)
Milwaukee (+15)
Charleston, W.Va. (-7)
Greenville, S.C. (-3)
Norfolk, Va. (-5)
Davenport (+8)
Nashville (+3)
Tampa (+10)
Toledo (+6)
Dayton, Ohio (+1)
Knoxville, Tenn. (-4)
Las Vegas (new to list)
Omaha, Neb. (-4)
South Bend, Ind. (-9)
Houston (+6)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (-8)
Ft. Wayne, Ind. (-5)
San Francisco (-19)
Buffalo, N.Y. (-13)
Harrisburg (-7)
Seattle (-5)
Miami
Orlando (+1)
Minneapolis (new to list)
Oklahoma City (new to list)
Louisville, Ky.
Lexington, Ky. (-4)
Going to the Olympics in Paris this summer?
Paris has had time to work on its bed bug program, but according to reports, the “punaise de lit” (bed bug) situation is getting worse there instead of better – like 65% worse. according to France’s Union Chamber of Insect Control.
That’s a headache and a half for the most visited city in the world, whose hoteliers have been searching for something positive for the 15 million people coming to town for the Olympics.
"While the bed bug infestations in Paris have made travelers more conscious of the pests in hotels while traveling internationally, it is also important to take precautions at home,” said Ben Hottel, Orkin entomologist.
“Second-hand items such as clothing and furniture are also common bed bug hiding places, allowing pests an opportunity to hitch a ride home with new consumers. Examining any new items before they enter your home will help to catch a bed bug infestation sooner, rather than later.”
What to do
If you live in one of the markets where bed bugs rule, it may be a good idea to double-check to see what levels of infestation you may or may not have. ConsumerAffairs has a complete guide to pest control – including reader reviews and ratings – available here.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-02-01 12:30:22
