CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago has the dubious distinction of coming in at the top spot of the latest ranking of bed bug infestations -- again.
This is the second year in a row Chicago has been listed as No. 1 on Orkin's Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list. Philadelphia and New York come in second and third this year. And according to Orkin, the two Northeast cities saw the largest jumps with Philadelphia moving up 12 spots and New York moving up nine spots. As for newcomers to the list, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, landed at No. 42 and Lincoln, Nebraska, barely snuck in at No. 50.
An Orkin entomologist said that unfortunately many hospitality businesses are facing staffing shortages, and that now more than ever travelers should be mindful of bed bug sightings or the risk of taking the critters home with them.
Also in the Orkin bed bug ranking, downstate Champaign comes in at No. 13 in the country, Peoria ranks No. 45, and Milwaukee is No. 38 on the list.
The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from Dec. 1, 2020 through Nov. 30, 2021. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.
Orkin said, typically, bed bugs are 3/16 inch long, red to dark brown in color, and are mostly nocturnal insects that come out of hiding to take blood meals from sleeping humans. These pests are hematophagous, which means blood is their only food source. They can travel from place to place with ease, clinging to items such as luggage, purses and other personal belongings.
"Bed bugs are a concern for everyone, because they are master hitchhikers, traveling home with people when they likely don't realize it," said Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist, in a statement. "Their nature of hiding in difficult-to-find cracks and crevices can make them hard to control, which is why involving a trained professional at the sight of an introduction is recommended."
Orkin's 2022 Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List
1. Chicago
2. Philadelphia (+12)
3. New York (+9)
4. Detroit
5. Baltimore (-3)
6. Indianapolis (+1)
7. Washington, DC (-4)
8. Cleveland, OH (-2)
9. Columbus, OH (-4)
10. Cincinnati (-2)
11. Grand Rapids, MI (-1)
12. Los Angeles (-3)
13. Champaign, IL (+2)
14. Atlanta (-1)
15. Charlotte, N.C. (-4)
16. Dallas-Ft. Worth
17. Denver (+3)
18. St. Louis, MO (+7)
19. San Francisco (+3)
20. Pittsburg (-1)
21. Greenville, S.C. (+2)
22. Charleston, W.V. (-4)
23. Flint, MI (-2)
24. Raleigh, N.C. (-7)
25. Norfolk, VA (-1)
26. Richmond, VA
27. Omaha (+3)
28. Buffalo, N.Y. (+1)
29. Knoxville (+7)
30. Cedar Rapids, IA (+5)
31. Toledo, OH (-4)
32. Dayton, OH (-4)
33. South Bend, IN (+8)
34. Nashville (-3)
35. Davenport, IA (+3)
36. Ft. Wayne, IN (-3)
37. Youngstown (+3)
38. Milwaukee (-6)
39. Miami (+8)
40. Tampa (-1)
41. Houston (-4)
42. Harrisburg (new to list)
43. Greensboro, N.C. (-9)
44. Seattle
45. Peoria, IL (+4)
46. Orlando (-1)
47. Lexington, KY (-4)
48. Lansing, MI
49. Louisville, KY (-3)
50. Lincoln, NE (new to list)
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