Latest news with #Terminix
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Dallas-Fort Worth ranks 5th in worst bed bug-infested cities in the U.S., study says
DFW is the 5th most bed bug-infested area in the U.S. DFW is the 5th most bed bug-infested area in the U.S. DFW is the 5th most bed bug-infested area in the U.S. If you need some motivation to get your laundry done, Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the most bed bug-infested areas in the country, according to call data released this month from the pest control company Terminix. The annual study ranks DFW as the fifth worst city for bed bugs in the U.S., topped only by Los Angeles, Cleveland, New York and reigning champ Philadelphia. The rankings are determined by the number of bed bug control services. The study says it's likely due to our warm climate, plus a high rate of tourism and travel. Bed bugs thrive in warm, humid conditions and love to hitchhike. How to identify bed bugs Full-grown bed bugs are brown or reddish-brown with an oval-shaped body about the size of an apple seed, the EPA says, while their young are much smaller, translucent or whitish-yellow, and can be very hard to see. Bed bugs come out at night to feed on human blood. Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, but their bites can cause allergic reactions. Bed bugs can be found in a variety of places, including homes, hotels, public transportation, and even some businesses. How to know if you've been bitten by a bed bug Bed bugs eat all three meals of the day at once, so look for the "breakfast, lunch and dinner" sign. The bites themselves often look like red bumps, but can also vary slightly from person to person. It may take several days for the marks to appear. Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime and do not have a preference for specific blood types. Some people may have a strong reaction to bed bug bites, while others have little to no reaction, and it may appear that bed bugs are targeting specific individuals. According to the Mayo Clinic, bed bug bites don't usually need treatment and disappear on their own within a week or two. If needed, you can ease symptoms by using a skin cream containing hydrocortisone or an oral antihistamine. Travel tips When you arrive at a hotel or vacation rental, do a thorough search of the bed — underneath it, behind the bed frame, on the sides of the mattress and in between the mattress and frame. Bring a flashlight; check the seams of the bed sheets. If you see anything that looks like rust, call management. If you're able, turn over the mattress, no matter what size. Bed bugs like to congregate in dark places. You can also look for blood stains or small black dots that look like mold or ground pepper. Spraying with isopropyl alcohol can kill bed bugs, and it can kill their eggs — but it only kills on contact. The bugs must be sprayed directly, and it can be very difficult to find and expose them. Keeping your belongings off the ground in your accommodations is another way to prevent bedbugs from hitching a ride. Instead, opt to place items on the tops of dressers or other spots higher up. Believe it or not, the safest place in a hotel room to keep your luggage is in the bathtub. The critters are less likely to be found in the bathroom, where tile floors are less inviting. Examine your luggage when you repack and inspect it for any black or brown spots and launder all the clothing you brought with you with the hottest water when you get home. Preventing bed bug infestations If you've got some time on your hands and want to busy yourself with a home DIY project, you can buy some caulk and work to seal the cracks and crevices in your home, the EPA suggests. This will help prevent bed bugs and other pests from entering. Keep personal belongings as well as bags you've brought in from outside off the floor and away from your bed. Treating bed bug infestations Call an exterminator. Treatments cost anywhere from $1-$8 per square foot. Look for EPA-registered pesticides that have bed bugs listed on the label. Don't use pesticides and other powerful chemicals meant for outdoors, inside. Wash clothing and bedding at a high temperature. Seal mattresses and box springs in protective covers, the EPA says. With covers that seal, the bed bugs will get trapped inside and die. Steam cleaning and vacuuming can help, but may not be enough to rid your home of the critters. Keep inspecting for bed bugs at least every 7 days in case any eggs remain.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
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@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What city in Georgia is the worst for bed bugs?
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This city is the worst for bed bugs in the US
You may not want to know this, but your city likely has bed bugs. In a new list, the pest control company Terminix has identified the 50 cities it treats the most for the pests. Bed bugs are blood-sucking insects that can quickly infest homes. It can take months to eradicate infestations. "We have seen a consistent increase in bed bug control service performed since the 'new normal' post-COVID-19 pandemic,' explained Terminix Technical Service Manager Eric Braun. To make the list, the company used service data from more than 300 branches across the country. The city of Montgomery, Alabama, came in at 50. '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,' Terminix said. Which cities are at the top of the list? Here are the 10 worst cities for bed bug infestations. Philadelphia takes the top spot for the second consecutive year. The City of Brotherly Love wasn't the only Pennsylvania hub on the list. Pittsburgh was ranked number 15. This may seem fairly self-explanatory. The Big Apple has consistently ranked high. But, New York is even higher on Terminix's list this year, climbing into the top five. So, has Cleveland. Terminix says its standing reflects continued struggles with these persistent pests. The City of Angels takes fourth. Big urban areas with a lot of food and warm temperatures are where bed bugs thrive. Dallas-Fort Worth rounds out the top five. The metropolitan area is frequently hit by summer storms. Atlanta may take the sixth slot, but this southern hub isn't even in Orkin's top 10 cities. Another Texas city! Last year, another list from Pest Gnome ranked the city, with a population of more than 2 million, in its third spot. The nation's capital has been in Orkin's number one spot before. On the West Coast, the San Francisco Bay Area also lands inside the top 10. That may be surprising if you're looking for the city on Orkin's recent list. It came in at 41 last year. Sacramento, Stockton, San Diego, and Modesto also rank within Terminix's top 50. Indiana's capital city might round out the top 10. But don't be fooled. There are plenty of other Midwest cities, such as Dayton, Columbus, Chicago, and Cincinnati. There are also cities in the South.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
This city is the worst for bed bugs in the US
You may not want to know this, but your city likely has bed bugs. In a new list, the pest control company Terminix has identified the 50 cities it treats the most for the pests. Bed bugs are blood-sucking insects that can quickly infest homes. It can take months to eradicate infestations. "We have seen a consistent increase in bed bug control service performed since the 'new normal' post-COVID-19 pandemic,' explained Terminix Technical Service Manager Eric Braun. To make the list, the company used service data from more than 300 branches across the country. The city of Montgomery, Alabama, came in at 50. '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,' Terminix said. for bed bug infestations. Philadelphia Philadelphia takes the top spot for the second consecutive year. The City of Brotherly Love wasn't the only Pennsylvania hub on the list. Pittsburgh was ranked number 15. New York This may seem fairly self-explanatory. The Big Apple has consistently ranked high. But, New York is even higher on Terminix's list this year, climbing into the top five. Cleveland-Akron So, has Cleveland. Terminix says its standing reflects continued struggles with these persistent pests. Los Angeles The City of Angels takes fourth. Big urban areas with a lot of food and warm temperatures are where bed bugs thrive. Dallas-Ft. Worth Dallas-Fort Worth rounds out the top five. The metropolitan area is frequently hit by summer storms. Atlanta Atlanta may take the sixth slot, but this southern hub isn't even in Orkin's top 10 cities. Houston Another Texas city! Last year, another list from Pest Gnome ranked the city, with a population of more than 2 million, in its third spot. Washington, D.C. The nation's capital has been in Orkin's number one spot before. San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose On the West Coast, the San Francisco Bay Area also lands inside the top 10. That may be surprising if you're looking for the city on Orkin's recent list. It came in at 41 last year. Sacramento, Stockton, San Diego, and Modesto also rank within Terminix's top 50. Indianapolis Indiana's capital city might round out the top 10. But don't be fooled. There are plenty of other Midwest cities, such as Dayton, Columbus, Chicago, and Cincinnati. There are also cities in the South.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Metro area city ranks in top 10 for bed bugs across US
A city can be a welcoming thing, with tourists, residents, communities and neighbors all making a place have its own special charm. However, a recent release by pest service company Terminix says Atlanta is not just welcoming to people, but also some creepy crawlies. In their yearly ranking on the topic, Atlanta was was not just among the top 50 most bed bug infested cities in the country, but just shy of joining the top 5. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] That's among 50 cities across the United States. Terminix said Atlanta named the sixth highest city for being a 'bed bug boomtown.' TRENDING STORIES: Peach Pass fee freeze program ends soon, closing temporary amnesty option for drivers GA law gives tenants at a Southwest Atlanta Apartment Complex protections against unsafe conditions A runaway pet zebra has been captured in Tennessee 'We have seen a consistent increase in bed bug control service performed since the 'new normal' post-COVID-19 pandemic," Eric Braun, Terminix Technical Service Manager, said in a statement. The data from Terminix said there appears to be a regional trend in bed bug infestations, 'likely tied to climate, housing trends and travel hubs.' While Philadelphia is the top city for bed bugs in the U.S., top cities for bedroom invasions were split among several regions. Here's the top 10 list of bed bug cities, ranked by how many treatments for the critters were carried out: Philadelphia, Penn. New York City, N.Y. Cleveland-Akron (Canton), Ohio Los Angeles, Calif. Dallas - Ft. Worth, Texas Atlanta, Ga. Houston, Texas Washington, D.C (Hagerstown) San Francisco - Oak - San Jose, Calif. Indianapolis, Ind. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
