APH responds to Orkin’s bed bug cities list – Sault Star | World, Bed Bug Registry Map

Summer is the perfect time for travel, but be careful about bringing home unwanted guests to the house, especially those that can crawl into the bedroom.

Bed bugs are extremely efficient hitch hikers. They can move easily across a room and climb onto luggage or anything left on a bed in just one night, Orkin Canada wrote in a release, warning travellers to be vigilant about the accommodation they stay in.

The pest control company has recently released its list of top 25 bed bugs-infested cities in Canada. The data was compiled from the number of residential and commercial bed bug treatments they performed annually until June 30 this year.

The itchy list puts Sault Ste. Marie at number 23, while neighbouring city Sudbury lands at eight.

The top five:

1. Toronto

2. Winnipeg

3. Vancouver

4. Ottawa

5. St. Johns.

In response to the Orkin list, Algoma Public Health says they dont track the number of bedbug infestations in the city, though they do encourage anybody who has issues with the bugs to contact APH.

We can provide them with advice. Well talk, assess the situation, and see what we can do, said Nicole Lindahl, a public health inspector with Algoma Public Health.

Regardless how the creepy bugs made their way in, the best way to remove them is to contact professionals.

We always encourage to contact a licensed pest control company for bed bugs treatment because theyre always going to provide you with the best service and treatment, she said.

Bed bugs, which are about the size of a sesame seed or an apple seed, generally feed off humans at night and hide during the day. They lay eggs in secluded dark areas and prefer fabric or wood hiding spots.

As unnerving as that sounds, in most cases they are merely a nuisance.

Theyre pesky, hard to get rid of, said Lindahl, adding that the small, wingless insects are not considered as a health hazard because they dont spread any infectious diseases.

However, the bites can potentially cause secondary infections from scratching or an allergic reaction and dealing with the issues can lead to stress and anxiety.

Its best then to seek the advice of a healthcare professionals, Lindahl told The Sault Star.

For tenants dealing with bedbugs, she suggests informing the landlord as soon as possible. If the complaints are not dealt with properly, the best course is to contact the Landlord and Tenant Board.

The board will provide them with advice regarding landlords roles and responsibility. Thats not our area of expertise, she said.

The APH website has resources on bed bugs, including some dos and donts, which include tips like de-cluttering the house. This allows people to reduce hiding places of the critters and make cleaning easier. Once cleaned, it's recommended to empty the vacuum outside in the garbage can or put the bag in a sealed container in the freezer.

The site doesnt suggest using bug spray, as most bed bugs are resistant to such treatment. It would also leave trails of toxic chemicals in the house and merely move the bed bugs to other areas and furniture.

For more information, visit http://www.algomapublichealth.com/inspections-environment/environmental-health/bed-bugs/.