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If you’re planning a trip or move then you’re probably worried about the possibility of encountering bed bugs. You’re right to be worried. Bed bugs are extremely common, but not in all regions. We spent countless hours digging through the statistics to find out which states have the most infestations. Continue reading to learn the different bed bug statistics we’ve uncovered.
Which States Have the Worst Bed Bug Problems?
The states with the worst bed bug infestation problems are:
- Illinois (995 bed bug reports, with 4 cities in Orkin’s top 50 list, Chicago being the first)
- Ohio (810 bed bug reports, with 6 cities on Orkin’s top 50 list; Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are in the 8th, 9th, and 10th place)
- New York (more than 4000 bed bug reports, NYC being 3rd on Orkin’s top 50 list)
- Pennsylvania (1134 bed bug reports, Philadelphia being 2nd on Orkin’s top 50 list)
- Maryland with Washington DC (more than 1000 bed bug reports with Baltimore ranking 5th on Orkin’s top 50 list)
- Michigan (687 bed bug reports, 4 cities in Orkin’s top 50 list, Detroit taking 4th place on the Orkin’s top 50 list)
- California (increasing, with more than 2000 bed bug reports, San Francisco is 19th and LA is 12th on Orkin’s top 50 list)
- Virginia (in increase with more than 1000 bed bug reports)
- Washington (Washington has 500 bed bug reports)
- Florida (490 bed bug reports)
- Indiana (160 bed bug reports, 3 cities on Orkin’s top 50 list)
- Georgia (160 bed bug reports, Atlanta ranking 14th on Orkin’s top 50 list)
- Nebraska (174 bed bug reports)
- North Carolina (170 bed bug reports)
- Iowa (109 bed bug reports)
Although bed bugs are not native to America, they have spread to every state. Warmer regions in the US, where the weather is more consistent, are more likely to have them (this is also where it’s common to find chiggers in your bed).
Even more importantly, densely populated areas are much more likely to have bed bugs. The entire east coast has a large population and it has the most incidences of bed bugs.
If we divide the US into six regions, we can get a rough image of how much each one is troubled by these pests. The percentages show the amount of bed bug cases in every region as compared to the whole country.
- Southeast 29%
- Midwest 21%
- West 19%
- Southwest 15%
- Mid-Atlantic 11%
- Northeast 5%
If you look at the most current bed bug registry map, you will see that the Southeast is the hotspot of bed bug infestations.
According to bed bug epidemic maps and research made by pest control professionals, Illinois and Maryland, along with Washington DC, are the top three places with the highest rate of bed bug infestations in the last three years.
Chicago has the most bed bug cases reported in 2021, and for 3 years in a row, it was ranked first in performed bed bug treatments. According to Orkin, Baltimore, MD, was ranked second for the second year in a row on the 2021 list.
Pest control professionals are very busy in New York. More than 4000 bed bug complaints were submitted only in NYC. Most bed bug complaints were noted in Manhattan and Bronx. With rising complaints and worsening conditions, New York might take over first place this year.
States with rising bed bug problems
Statistics say that the number of bed bug infestations in the United States is still rising. That’s why it’s not surprising that other states are seeing an upward trend in bed bug populations. These states are:
- Texas
- Massachusetts
- West Virginia
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- Kentucky
- Hawai
- Louisiana
- Maine
- New Hamshire
Alaska has the least amount. bed bugs. This is probably because of the fact that Alaska doesn’t have a problem with roaches, termites, bed bugs, ants, or even mosquitoes because of the cold weather. A similar situation with bed bugs can be found in North Dakota.
Besides cold weather, dry climate areas are also not ideal for bed bugs – that’s why Nevada and Colorado have fewer problems with bed bugs and pests. Idaho is a state with a surprisingly low bed bug population.
How Infestations Spread
Bed bugs tend to climb onto personal belongings, so aside from mattresses and bedding, they get into clothes, bags, etc. Today, people travel more, making it easier for bed bugs to spread. Pest control professionals noted that complaints of bed bugs are more frequent in the summer months and big cities with a wide network of public transportation and big hotel areas are especially prone to bed bugs.
Bed bugs are sometimes found in single-family homes, but public places such as hotels, nursing homes, daycare centers, public transportation, airports, and college dorms are the real hotspots of bed bug infestations.
Aside from beds, bed bugs and other pests are also found in fabric and wood furniture, house curtains, and stuffed animals.
Bed Bugs and the Law
State-specific bed bug regulations and laws are compiled in one document by the NPMA (National Pest Management Association).
Bed bug legislation or rule-making has been passed or enacted in 23 states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Laws and rules apply to bed bug infestations in a variety of settings, including multifamily housing, vacation homes, public transportation, hotels, schools, and migrant labor camps. Arizona and Texas consider bed bugs a public health nuisance.
How to Tell If You Have Bed Bugs
Observe the space around your bed. Fecal matter and discarded skins are common signs of bed bug infestations commonly found in bedding and around bed frames.
Bed bug infestation is also indicated by bloodstains on your bed. When a person moves around in their sleep, bed bugs may be crushed since they can’t move fast.
Pay attention to the location of bite marks on your body if you have any. Bed bug bites usually occur on the upper torso, including the face, neck, and arms. The bites are often in the form of small zig-zag patterns.
How to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Bed (Bed Bug Prevention)
- If you are planning to buy secondhand furniture, inspect it thoroughly for signs of bed bugs.
- Cover your mattress and box spring with a protective cover.
- If possible, get a mattress cover that is pesticide-treated.
- You might want to look into getting a white mattress cover, which will make it easier to spot bed bugs.
- Be careful if using shared laundry facilities.
- Vacuum frequently.
- If you come back from traveling; unpack immediately, separate your clothing and wash it in hot water. Vacuum your suitcases and bags thoroughly. This should help if you don’t want to bring bed bugs into your own home.
Getting rid of bed bugs
Bed bugs are really stubborn insects. They feed on blood and can live up to 6 months without food. If you have a bed bug infestation, our advice is to call a pest control professional. They use two types of treatment.
Heat treatment
This is the most efficient treatment to eliminate bed bugs. Professionals will heat your room between 135°F and 145°F. Heat should make bed bugs get out of hidden places. When bed bugs and their eggs reach a temperature of 122°F, they die immediately. This procedure takes 8 hours and the recommendation is to be conducted by a skilled pest professional.
Traditional chemical bed bug treatment
Insecticides are not as not efficient as heat treatment. Bed bugs that are exposed directly to insecticide should die quickly, but they can also get into contact with it indirectly when they get out to search for food. Most insecticides can’t kill eggs. This method requires being persistent because in most cases, repeating it is necessary.
Is it possible to get sick from bed bugs?
As far as we know, bed bug bites do not transmit infectious diseases. A few people, however, are prone to developing itchy, red welts from the bites. However, scratching can result in infection. Bed bugs can also affect your mental well-being. It has been reported that some people experience anxiety, insomnia, and irritability.
FAQs
Research conducted by the National Pest Management Association noted that 74 percent of pest control professionals encountered bed bugs in hotel mattresses. So when you check out of a hotel room, double-check you don’t bring bed bugs home. Hotels are in third place, just behind apartments/condominiums and single-family homes. Many hotels are preventing bed bug infestation through bed bug monitoring and routine checks.
According to pest control companies, the bed bug problem is highly present in 2022. Increased traveling in infested areas and during summer make it easier for bed bugs to travel and spread out countrywide.
No, they do not have the ability to bite through your clothing. If your clothing has holes, they can crawl through it and bite the exposed skin.
Lack of awareness is the main reason people have bed bugs. They are hard to see, and their skin is transparent. When they grow up, it is not difficult to recognize them. The belief that bed bugs are only drawn to filthy places is wrong. Bed bugs can live in even the neatest bedroom. It is more difficult for them to hide in a clean environment because people who are neat and tidy will notice them quickly while changing sheets or performing their routine mattress cleaning, whereas those who live in dirty apartments normally don’t pay attention to any of the corners or creases of their bedroom, so bed bugs can thrive for a long time before being noticed.
Conclusion
Bed bugs have multiplied dramatically over the past 30 years, and infestation cases were in almost every state. According to the most recent figures, the number of infestations in the United States has increased by 500%. We can conclude from bed bug statistics and reports that the country has been dealing with the bed bug epidemic.
When going on vacation alone or in a group, everyone should know that bed bugs are a growing problem in many hotels and motels. To prevent bed bugs from nesting in your bedroom, you should clean your mattress regularly and protect it from moisture.
Next steps: If your mattress is infested with bed bugs, I’m going to be honest with you and say that it’s probably time to get a new one. View our list of the best queen-sized mattresses and start planning your purchase.
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