Bed Bug Infestations Abound In Philadelphia, New Orkin Report Says

PHILADELPHIA — Back in October, Patch shared with readers that Philadelphia's rat problem is the seventh worst in the nation, according to pest control company Orkin.

And unfortunately, we're here to share some more nasty news.

Orkin recently published its annual list of the U.S. cities with the most calls for bed bug services.

Philadelphia made the top three.

Orkin said the list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from Dec. 1, 2022 to Nov. 30, 2023. Rankings include both residential and commercial treatments.

And with those numbers in mind, Philadelphia was No. 3.

That is the same rank it earned in the 2023 list, which was an improvement from the 2022, which placed Philly at No. 2.

Below are the top 10 bed buggiest cities in the nation, according to Orkin:

1. Chicago
2. New York
3. Philadelphia
4. Cleveland-Akron, Ohio
5. Los Angeles
6. Detroit
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Indianapolis, Indiana
9. Charlotte, North Carolina
10. Champaign, Illinois

See the full list online here.

Bed bugs are typically 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. Clinging to items such as luggage, purses and other personal belongings, bed bugs can travel from place to place with ease.

"Bed bugs are extremely resilient, making them difficult to control. As travel plans ramp up, it’s important that Americans know how to protect themselves through pest identification and proper control," Ben Hottel, Orkin entomologist, said. "While bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, they are excellent at hiding. Involving a trained professional at the sight of a bed bug introduction is recommended."

Known for rapid population growth, female bed bugs can deposit one to five eggs a day and may lay 200 to 500 eggs in their lifetime. They can survive for several months while waiting for their next blood meal, so they’re likely to emerge the moment a food source, e.g., humans or animals, becomes available.

"While the bed bug infestations in Paris have made travelers more conscious of the pests in hotels while traveling internationally, it is also important to take precautions at home," Hottel said. "Second-hand items such as clothing and furniture are also common bed bug hiding places, allowing pests an opportunity to hitch a ride home with new consumers. Examining any new items before they enter your home will help to catch a bed bug infestation sooner, rather than later."

Here are proactive tips Orkin recommends for homeowners and travelers to prevent bed bugs:

At Home:

• Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs regularly. Check the places where bed bugs hide during the day, including mattress tags and seams, and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets and picture frames. Inspect when you move in, after a trip, when a service worker visits or after guests stay overnight.
• Decrease clutter around your home to make it easier to spot bed bugs on your own or during professional inspections.
• Examine all secondhand furniture before bringing it inside your home.

During travel, remember the acronym S.L.E.E.P. to inspect for bed bugs:

• Survey the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Be on the lookout for tiny, ink-colored stains on mattress seams, in soft furniture and behind headboards.
• Lift and look in bed bug hiding spots: the mattress, box spring and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures and even torn wallpaper.
• Elevate luggage away from the bed and wall. The safest places are in the bathroom or on counters.
• Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and once you return home from a trip. Always store luggage away from the bed.
• Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for at least 30-45 minutes at the highest setting after you return home.