Baltimore tops this year’s Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list, released today by pest control company Orkin.
In the six years Orkin has released the bed bug city rankings, this is the first time Baltimore has made the top five, moving up nine spots since last year. Four metro regions — Las Vegas, Portland, Salt Lake City and Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem — made the list for the first time this year.
Orkin’s bed bug revenue is up more than 10% over last year.
“We have more people affected by bed bugs in the United States now than ever before,” said Orkin Entomologist and Director of Technical Services Ron Harrison, Ph.D., adding that bed bugs are a growing issue. “They were virtually unheard of in the U.S. 10 years ago,” he says.
According to a 2015 “Bugs without Borders Survey” by the National Pest Management Association, nearly all (99.6%) of pest professionals nationwide have treated bed bugs in the past year, up from five, 10 and 15 years ago.
Bed bugs are great hitchhikers because they travel from place to place with ease, including luggage, purses and other belongings. Bed bugs can be found anywhere, from single family homes, apartments and hotel, to public places like movie theaters, public transit and libraries and offices.
