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CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -

Cincinnati maintains its position as the #1 city for bed bugs, according to a report released by Orkin on Friday.

1. Cincinnati 2. Chicago 3. Detroit 4. Denver 5. Los Angeles 6. Columbus, Ohio 7. Dallas 8. Washington, D.C. 9. New York City 10. Richmond, VA

"The changes in some cities' rankings show bed bugs continue to be a problem in most areas of the U.S.," said Orkin entomologist and Technical Services Director Ron Harrison, Ph.D. "Several of the top 50 cities have large, busy airports, and there could be a correlation between increased travel and bed bug activity. The changes could also be because the bed bug population is increasing overall, or even because the public is becoming more aware of bed bugs and has become better adept at identifying them."

Bed bugs can multiply quickly, so early detection is critical to preventing a larger infestation. And since infestations can be difficult to control, Orkin advises vacationers to take the proper precautions before enjoying spring break activities to avoid contact with and spreading the blood-suckers.

"Bed bugs can be found in other places than the bedroom," warns Dr. Harrison. "They're great hitchhikers and tend to settle where people sleep, particularly in hotel rooms, but they can also crawl into personal belongings and make their way into planes, gyms, offices, stores and worse, your home."

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, bed bugs can carry more than 30 different human pathogens, but there is no evidence that bed bugs can transmit diseases. Their bites can, however, leave itchy welts on their victims. Red marks or swelling may also develop.

"One thing that's not a factor is sanitation," said Dr. Harrison. "Be sure to do some investigating when you arrive at your hotel, whether it's a one-star or a five-star property. Bed bugs are nocturnal and resemble apple seeds in size and color, so check mattress seams, sheets and furniture, behind baseboards, electrical outlet plates and picture frames for small reddish-brown spots and lightly-colored molted bed bug skins."

When traveling, think of the acronym S.L.E.E.P. to remember the following action steps to help avoid bringing bed bugs home with you:

Orkin says their bed bug business is up 33-percent over 2010.

Here is the original post:
REPORT: Cincinnati ranks #1 for bed bugs

New York City has tried using the Internet, dogs and is now considering more warnings to help correct the city bed bug problem. (STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

This column originally ran on April 5, 2011. With resident columnist Nina Pajak on vacation for two weeks, were taking a look back at her most popular rants. __________________________

By Nina Pajak

I live in fear. The bed bugs. Are literally. Everywhere. Theyre in my bed, my furniture, my chair at work, the conference room. Theyre on that guy next to me on the subway, and that girl sitting over there. Hey, get away from me. Did you just touch me? I hope you didnt. Im sending you my dry cleaning bill.

I am tormented. Every night I lie awake, feeling the sheets for them, popping the covers up fast to surprise them as they launch their attack. I reach down to scratch my leg. Whats that bump? Oh man, its a bug! Oh wait, its a birthmark. But whats this I feel by my foot? Oh lord, its a bug! Oh wait, its a microbial speck of lint. Only, is it? No! Oh wait, yes.

Ive pretty much ceased shopping (an unexpected and positive side effect) and I inspect the seams of seat cushions in taxis (this, on the other hand, is generally inadvisable). Just thinking about them gives me hives, which I become convinced are bites, which gives birth to new hives, and so on and so forth. This cannot go on.

Related: CBSNewYorks Guide To Living In Americas Most Bed Bug-Infested City

Heres the thing: I dont actually have bed bugs. As far as I know, they are not now nor have ever been in my apartment. But they could be! I had a brush with them in a mistake of a hotel in Washington, D.C., and I managed to leave them there. But I feel like I just dodged a Nina-seeking missile. Did you ever see Final Destination? You cant cheat deathor bed bugs. Its only a matter of time.

Related: NYC Hotels: Where Not To Stay In The Big Apple

Each year, an epidemic is announced. And each, it gets worse.

See original here:
Nina In New York: Bed Bug Torment

A&E NETWORK PREMIERES THE NEW ORIGINAL REAL LIFE SERIES "RAMBUG" FOLLOWING A FAMILY OF NEW YORK CITY EXTERMINATORS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 28 AT 10PM ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 13, 2012 - A&E Network presents a new real life series about a brawny group of hard-working, over-the-top Italian exterminators from Brooklyn who dress in camouflage and wage war on the city's nastiest critters. "Rambug" premieres Saturday April 28 at 10 PM ET/PT on A&E.

Robbie "Rambug" is the burly but loveable owner of Rambug Pest Control. With the help of his eccentric team, which consists of actual family members and friends who have been around so long they feel like family, Robbie runs one of the most successful extermination businesses in New York City. This offbeat, macho team rides around town in a truck with a giant cockroach mounted to the top and fearlessly battles everything from rats to roaches to bed bugs... to each other- Rambo style.

The Rambug Pest Control team is led by Robbie and supervised by his older brother Ralph. They both ultimately answer to their traditional Italian mother Mimi. The general manager of the business is Big Rob, who struggles to juggle his work duties, his relationship with office manager Rose and being a father to an often impertinent Lil Rob, who also works at the company. Lil Rob's best friend and wingman James and rat-trapper extraordinaire Steve round out the Rambug crew.

In the premiere episode, "The Bug Stops Here," when Lil Rob slacks off at work, Robbie forces his dad Big Rob to step in. All hell breaks loose when Lil Rob threatens to fight his supervisor Ralph. At the end of the day, for this unconventional band of brothers, Rambug isn't just a job... it's a family.

"Rambug" is produced by Michael Levitt Productions for A&E Network. Executive producers for Michael Levitt Productions are Michael Levitt and Jill Goularte, with Curnal Achilles Aulisio as Co-Executive Producer. Executive producers for A&E Network are David McKillop, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Lily Neumeyer.

About A&E Network

A&E is "Real Life. Drama." Now reaching more than 99 million homes, A&E is television that you can't turn away from; where unscripted shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic. A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment ranging from the network's original scripted series, including "The Glades" and "Breakout Kings," to signature non-fiction franchises, including the Emmy-winning "Intervention," "Dog the Bounty Hunter," "Hoarders," "Beyond Scared Straight" and "Storage Wars," and the most successful justice shows on cable, including "The First 48." The A&E website is located at http://www.aetv.com. For more press information and photography please visit us on the web at http://www.aetvpress.com.

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A&E Network Premieres the New Original Real Life Series "Rambug" Following a Family of New York City Exterminators on ...