Top 50 cities in the us where bed bugs are still a danger

Pest control company Orkin warned travelers that bed bugs are still a danger even in the midst of a swine flu.

Over the last year, as travel began to resurgence in the U.S. restless Americans — and bed bugs — were hittingching rides across the country for a getaway, Orkin said.

With staff shortages hitting the hospitality industry, it might be the case that bed bug introductions are not being monitored as often as desired, which is why diligent examination is a must, according to Orkin.

In order to prepare consumers before they pack their bags, the company released its annual Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List. Chicago was at the top of the list for the second year in a row. Philadelphia and New York were listed as second and third in the rankings.

Philadelphia jumped 12 spots from last year, while New York jumped nine spots. The two newbies on the list were Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Lincoln, Nebraska.

The industry remains committed to cleanliness and travelers should be mindful of bed bug sightings and proactive in inspection efforts, as many hospitality businesses are facing staff shortages, according to Ben Hottel, Orkin entomologist.

Hottel noted that these pests, which are typically 3 16 inch long and have a red to dark brown color, are a concern for everyone. According to Orkin, bed bugs are known for rapid population growth, with females dropping between one and five eggs a day. These pests can survive in between their meals for several months and can hide in difficult-to-find cracks and crevices, making them harder to control, according to Orkin.

Here are the top 10 cites with the most bed bugs:

Orkin calculated where it performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2020 to Nov. 30, 2021.