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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Pittsburghers may want to check their mattresses for some unwelcome pests, according to a new survey.<\/p>\n
Terminix has determined the most bed-bug-infested cities in the United States, and two Pennsylvania cities, including Pittsburgh, and two Ohio cities landed in the top 20.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh came in at number 12 on the list.<\/p>\n
(Graphic Credit: Business Wire)<\/p>\n
Allegheny County medical entomologist Bill Todaro knows a lot about bed bugs.<\/p>\n
Its an exoparasite that feeds on blood and because it feeds directly on blood like a mosquito, it goes through its lifecycle very quickly, he said. In one months time, a female will develop from an egg to being able to lay eggs. <\/p>\n
Todaro says unlike ticks and mosquitoes, bed bugs dont carry disease, but they can grow very quickly, depending on how much blood they feed on from a persons body.<\/p>\n
Todaro says bed bugs tend to feed between 3 5 a.m., when most people are fast asleep.<\/p>\n
Many times they wake up and they see a bed bug on the pillow. They open their eyes and theres a bed bug on the pillow he said. Seventy percent of the bed bugs are in the bed with a person. All they have to do is look closely.<\/p>\n
Bed bugs can leave little bites that last for a few days. Terminix based its list of bed bug infested cities based on the number of service requests for the first half of 2017.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia did slightly worse than Pittsburgh at number 10.<\/p>\n
Ohio fared the worst with Cleveland and Cincinnati being named the most infested and second-most infested cities, respectively.<\/p>\n
Todaro says he gets call about bed bugs often.<\/p>\n
We probably get 15 to 20 calls a week about bed bugs, he said, in a variety of situations. Either private homes, single family homes or multi-family homes.<\/p>\n
There isnt a gold standard to getting rid of bed bugs. Todaro says there are ways to check for them in your home, including detectors. The sooner a bed bug infestation is detected, the less expensive it may be to treat it.<\/p>\n
According to Business Wire, some signs of bed bugs include reddish-brown blood spots on sheets or mattresses and a strong musty odor. Bed bugs are the size, shape and color of an apple seed.<\/p>\n
Click here for the full list of the Top 20 Bed Bug Cities.<\/p>\n
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View post: Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Pittsburghers may want to check their mattresses for some unwelcome pests, according to a new survey. Terminix has determined the most bed-bug-infested cities in the United States, and two Pennsylvania cities, including Pittsburgh, and two Ohio cities landed in the top 20. Continue reading
\nSurvey: Pittsburgh One Of The Most Bed Bug Infested Cities In The US - CBS Pittsburgh \/ KDKA<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"