The city with the most bedbugs is Philadelphia. A report out on Wednesday lists the top cities for the pests according to Terminix. The tiny bugs can be found just about anywhere, not just in a bed. People that have bedbugs at home and sleep somewhere else will likely transport them, causing an infestation wherever else they go. Generally speaking, big cities with lots of tourists tend to be the most affected when it comes to bedbugs.
"This year’s rankings have Cincinnati coming in second and New York City — the most-infested city for the past two years — coming in third. Cleveland, Miami, Houston, Indianapolis and New Haven joined the top 15 this year," Time Magazine reports.
The most bedbugs city doesn't mean that the people aren't clean or that areas are "dirty." The problem is that they are very hard to get rid of and sometimes people don't realize there is a problem until there is a major infestation. If 10 people were staying at a bedbug infested hotel, chances are all 10 would be bitten and bring the bedbugs home. If the problem is not rectified hotel guests will continue to spread the infestation.
Common signs that you've been in contact with bedbugs include waking up itchy red welts on the skin. Usually there will be a lot of bites, making a very unpleasant morning for anyone who has unfortunately come in contact with them.
Visiting a city with the most bedbugs shouldn't alarm you but you should be mindful that there is always a possiblity that you could fall victim to these tiny pests.
© Effie Orfanides 2012
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