Bedbug infestations can happen anywhere, with these vermin hitching a ride on suitcases and being transported across the country and around the world. That’s one reason they are showing up in some pretty unsuspecting places.
According to an article by AL.com, Terminix recently released its list of the top 50 bedbug-infested cities in the United States based on data from more than 300 branches nationwide. Not surprisingly, higher population cities – and popular tourist destinations – tend to top the list with Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles in the top five.
But what might surprise you is some of the smaller cities plagued by bedbugs, such as Dayton, Ohio, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Paducah, Kentucky.
According to the pest control company, “The best way to prevent bringing bed bugs home while traveling is being able to identify them and their signs in the areas where you rest or sleep.”
Before you settle into your hotel room, the experts at Terminix recommend you inspect the mattress seams, headboard, and nearby furniture, including dresser drawers, for small, rust-colored stains, shed skins, or live bed bugs. You may want to use the flashlight on your phone to get a better view, as adult bed bugs are around the size of an apple seed and can be hard to spot. Until you know the room is clear, it’s best to keep your luggage in the bathroom.
To avoid bringing bedbugs into your home, Terminix suggests you unpack your suitcases in the garage, basement, or outside the home. It’s also a good idea to put your clothes in the dryer for 30 minutes on high heat to kill any live bedbugs or eggs. Lastly, you should vacuum your suitcase inside and out before storing it, preferably in a space far away from sleeping areas.
Have you ever gotten bedbugs? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter) and let us know how you got rid of these pesky pests.
