Creepy crawlies: Top 10 bed bug-infested cities in the US
A city in Georgia has landed on a list no city wants to top, the top 10 bed bug-infested cities in the U.S.
The study, by Terminix, is based on the number of bed bug control services across the country. With Atlanta consistently near the top, experts say residents and travelers alike should take extra precautions to avoid them.
Here is more.
According to the study, Atlanta takes the No. 6 spot, making it the most bed bug-prone city in Georgia.
Philadelphia
New York
Cleveland-Akron (Canton)
Los Angeles
Dallas - Ft. Worth
Atlanta
Houston
Washington, D.C (Hagerstown)
San Francisco - Oak - San Jose
Indianapolis
Bedbugs are tiny pests capable of causing significant disruption with just one infestation. These small, brown, oval-shaped bugs spread rapidly. Adult females produce 200-500 eggs over their 6-12 month lifespan.
Bedbugs were eradicated in the middle of the 20th century but made a triumphant return as the human population began to travel more, according to the UC Riverside Center for Invasive Species Research. Today, they can be found in dark, tight, hidden spaces.
Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your belongings against infestation:
Reduce clutter
Vacuum frequently
Keep your belongings away from others'
Seal cracks
Check and clean secondhand furniture and clothes
Other than checking for the live bugs themselves, look for signs of:
Reddish stains from bedbugs being crushed
Dark spots from bedbug excrement
Eggs, eggshells and shedding skins
Wash bedsheets, clothing, linens and curtains in hot water. Then, put them in the dryer on the hot setting for at least 30 minutes.
Use a stiff brush on mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs.
Vacuum your bed and the surrounding area. Place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and put it in a trash can outside.
Encase your mattress in a bed bug mattress cover and keep this on for at least a year since bed bugs can survive up to that long without feeding.
Repair cracks in walls or plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to limit hiding places.
Get rid of clutter around the bed.
While these tips can help, using chemicals is the most effective way to exterminate bed bugs. WebMD suggests hiring an experienced exterminator for the best results.
Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What city in Georgia is the worst for bed bugs?
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