These Are the Most Bed BugInfested Cities in the U.S. – Thrillist

New York City isn't even in the top 10.

Bed bugs are every city-dweller's biggest fear, and new data suggests that the issue isn't confined to just NYC and LA. Pest control company Orkin compiled a list of the 50 most bed buginfested cities in the US right now, revealing that some metropolitan areas aren't as immune as you'd expect.

Orkin based its latest findings on which cities required the most bed bug treatments between December 2019 and November 2020. The ranking took both residential and commercial treatments into consideration.

MORE:The Quickest Ways to Tell Whether Your Hotel Room Has Bed Bugs

Last year, Washington, DC held the title of most bed buginfested city. This year, a new metropolis takes its place as the country's biggest hotbed for infestation: Chicago.

Despite its bad reputation, NYC didn't even make the top 10 list. The densely populated area landed in 12th place this year, down from sixth place in 2020. LA also improved, moving from the fourth worst city in the nation to the ninth worst. It's a minor improvement, but improvement nonetheless.

Toledo, Ohiowhich barely broke into the top 50 last yearis on the worst trajectory, jumping from 50th place to 27th place after only 12 months. Below is the full list, which also shows in parentheses how each city's rank changed from last year's report.

The moral of the story here is that you can never be too safe. As Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist, put it in a statement, "Bed bugs are a concern for everyone because they are master hitchhikers, traveling home with people when they likely dont realize it."

Whether you're in Chicago, Minneapolis, or really any other city, you should alwayskeep an eye out for bed bugs so that if they find their way in your home, you can treat them fast. A little fear can be healthy, as long as you don't let it control you.

MORE:How to Kill Bed Bugs, the Enemy You Sleep With

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These Are the Most Bed BugInfested Cities in the U.S. - Thrillist