Three Indiana Cities Among the Most Infested in the U.S.
Orkin just released their list of 50 cities across the U.S. with the highest probability of running into these nasty creatures, and three Indiana cities are among the most infested.
You've most likely heard your parents say "sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" when they tucked you into bed as a child. Nine times out of ten, bed bugs weren't something that people really had to worry about in their homes. Heck, you might have thought that it was just a dumb saying that your parents would just say for the fun of it. However, bed bugs are very real. According to Orkin:
Typically, bed bugs are 3/16 inch long, red to dark brown in color and are mostly nocturnal insects that come out of hiding to take blood meals from sleeping humans. These pests are hematophagous, which means blood is their only food source. They can travel from place to place with ease, clinging to items such as luggage, purses and other personal belongings.
Speaking of Orkin, they recently released their annual list of the cities with the most bed bugs. Each year, Orkin ranks the top 50 cities for bed bugs by looking at how many people had to use exterminators over the past 12 months. Chicago came in at number one for the third year in a row, but three Indiana cities made the list this year. In fact, one Indiana city landed in the top 10!
Three Indiana Cities Among the Most Infested with Bed Bugs in the U.S.
So, which Indiana cities unfortunately made this list? It should be noted that this includes both residential and commercial buildings. Let's dive in.
Coming in at number 35 is the city of Ft. Wayne. Then, at number 28 is South Bend. Finally, Indianapolis is the seventh worst city in the country for bed bugs. Thankfully, no city in southern Indiana found themselves on this list.
Ben Hottel, Orkin entomologist says:
"While it’s important to be aware of bed bug infestations within hotels, practicing precautions in other aspects of travel are also important. Taxis, buses and airplanes are also common <a class="chakra-link cta cta--solid css-1t6sfr0" href="https://www.orkin.com/pests/bed-bugs/where-do-bed-bugs-hide">bed bug hiding places</a>, allowing these pests an opportunity to hitch a ride with unsuspecting travelers. Examining clothing and luggage regularly while traveling can help to catch a bed bug infestation in the early stages.”
At the end of the report, Orkin offers you some bed bug proactive tips at home and while traveling. For more information on that, and to see the complete list, see below. And remember, if you are in any of these Indiana cities, you have a higher chance of running into bed bugs. So, sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite!
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