1.    Chicago (+1)                             2.    Detroit (+1)                                3.    Los Angeles (+2)                        4.    Denver                                           5.    Cincinnati (-4)                               6.    Columbus, Ohio                              7.    Washington, D.C. (+1)                      8.    Cleveland/Akron/Canton (+5)                      9.    Dallas/Ft. Worth (-2)                                10. New York (-1)                                          11. Dayton, Ohio (+4)                                    12. Richmond/Petersburg, Va. (-2)                  13. Seattle/Tacoma (+14)                                 14. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose (-2)           16. Indianapolis (+15)                                   17. Omaha, Neb. (+11)                                 18. Houston (-7)                                           19. Milwaukee (+13)                               20. Baltimore (-2)                                  21. Syracuse, N.Y. (+2)                           22. Boston (-8)                                           23. Colorado Springs/Pueblo, Colo. (+2)                   24. Lexington, Ky. (-2)                                         25. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (-1)                           “This list shows that bed bugs continue to be a problem throughout the U.S.,” said Orkin entomologist and Technical Services Director Ron Harrison
Sanitation is not a factor when it comes to the development of the tiny bloodsuckers. Other common misconceptions are that they can only be found in bedrooms, when, in fact, in your home they can be found in kitchens and bathrooms. Not only are residential homes a potential risk, but they can be found in hospitals, movie theaters, planes and gyms. People may believe bed bugs transmit diseases, but according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, bed bugs can carry more than 30 different human pathogens, but there is no evidence that bed bugs can transmit diseases. Bed bugs can multiply quickly, so early detection is critical to preventing a larger infestation. And since infestations can be difficult to control, Orkin advises vigilance.
“Education and prevention are key,” said Dr. Harrison. “Inspect your bedroom regularly, and be cautious when traveling. Adult bed bugs resemble apple seeds in size and color, while newly-hatched babies can be about the size of a pinhead and pale in color. Check mattress seams, sheets and furniture, behind baseboards, electrical outlet plates and picture frames.”
Finally, while you may want to take on a bed bug infestation yourself, it is a complicated process and not recommended for do-it-yourselfers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Pest Management Association advise you hire a pest control company that has a great deal of experience treating bed bug infestations to treat your home for a bed bug problem. About Rollins Rollins Inc. is a premier North American consumer and commercial services company. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Orkin LLC, Orkin Canada, HomeTeam Pest Defense, Western Pest Services, The Industrial Fumigant Company, Waltham Services LLC, Crane Pest Control and Trutech LLC, the company provides essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects to more than 2 million customers in the United States