D.C. has been ranked second this year in the annual list of 50 “bed bug cities” released by Orkin, a major pest control company that carries out beg bug treatments.
Orkin entomologist Chelle Hartzer said bed bugs are the number-one urban pests in many cities today.
“The insects hitchhike onto people from mattresses, luggage or other items. All they need for survival is blood,” Hartzer said in a statement.
“Sanitation has nothing to do with prevention: from public transit to five-star resorts, bed bugs have been and can be found everywhere humans are. They are master hitchhikers, so no one is immune,” he added.
Baltimore topped the list of bed bug cities while Philadelphia ranked 10th.
According to the 2018 “Bugs without Borders Survey” by National Pest Management Association, bed bugs can be commonly found in single-family homes, apartments, and hotels.
“Bed bugs are capable of rapid population growth with an adult female laying two to five eggs per day (up to 500 in her lifetime), often making treatment challenging. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and typically reddish brown. Their small size and ability to hide make them difficult to see during the day, so it’s important to look for the black, ink-like stains they can leave behind,” the Orkin report said.
NOT a list we like being on! 😱🐜 https://t.co/TaKBAR2VF0
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) January 16, 2019
To detect bed bugs, Orkin recommended checking hiding spots like mattress tags, seams and baseboards, electric outlets and picture frames. Decreasing clutter can also help in finding beg bugs. Inspecting secondhand furniture before bringing it into the house and drying infested bed linens and curtains can also be helpful in keeping a check on bed bugs.