Northeast Ohio seems to have a bit of a bedbug problem.
The Cleveland-Akron (Canton) Designated Market Area, covering many counties in Northeast Ohio including Stark County, ranks third among cities with the most bedbugs in the U.S., according to a new report from Terminix.
“We have seen a consistent increase in bedbug control service performed since the ‘new normal’ post-COVID-19 pandemic,” Eric Braun, a technical service manager at Terminix, said in a prepared statement.
Philadelphia and New York are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The list was compiled based on the number of treatments each city has recorded.
“Philadelphia takes the top spot for the second year in a row, while New York and Cleveland-Akron both climb higher into the top five, reflecting continued struggles with these persistent pests,” according to the report. “When looking at which states appear the most, Ohio, Texas, Florida, California, and Pennsylvania dominate, suggesting regional trends in infestations are likely tied to climate, housing trends, and travel hubs.”
How do other Ohio cities fare with bedbugs?
Ohio has four communities in the top 20. In addition to the Cleveland-Akron-Canton area, Dayton ranked 11th, Columbus ranked 12th and Cincinnati ranked 14th on the list. Toledo was 40th.
How can I prevent bringing home bedbugs while traveling?
Here’s some recommendations from Terminix for avoiding bedbugs when away from home:
Before settling into a hotel or rental:
While traveling:
What should I do if I have bedbugs?
If you find bedbugs, containment is key to stopping the spread.
“Avoid moving infested items between rooms, as this can spread the problem. Steer clear of DIY sprays. Many bedbug populations are resistant to over-the-counter products, or they can push them into other areas, making them more difficult to remediate,” according to the report. “Acting quickly can help reduce the severity of the infestation while you wait for professional treatment.”
What to know about bedbug bites
Bedbug bites are painless, according to the Ohio State University Extension. Severe itching may last for several hours to days. Scratching may cause the welts from bites to become infected. Although government agencies consider bedbugs to be a public health pest, OSU Extension says there is no evidence bed bugs transmit diseases in humans.
Which cities have the worst bedbugs?
Here’s a look at the top 50 cities with the worst bed bug infestations:
To read the full report, go to: www.terminix.com/blog/whats-buzzing/top-bed-bug-cities.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Where are bedbugs worse in U.S.? Terminix says Northeast Ohio ranks poorly
Reporting by Janson McNair, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
