The United States is home to numerous cities and states where travelers are at risk of encountering bedbugs. These small, blood-feeding insects can be found in close proximity to humans and animals, often in areas where people sleep or rest.
A recent report ranked Michigan as the state with the highest bedbug risk, with estimated odds of 1 in 57 of encountering the pests there. Warren, Michigan, was identified as America's top bedbug hot spot city. Ohio and Maryland followed as the second and third riskiest states, respectively, with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin rounding out the top five.
Other cities were also found to have high bedbug risks, including North Las Vegas, Nevada, and Madison, Wisconsin. Hawaii and Oregon were identified as the states where travelers were least likely to encounter bedbugs. The report's findings were based on a combination of bedbug rankings from pest control companies and TripAdvisor hotel reviews from the three largest cities in every state.
Experts caution against putting too much stock in these rankings, as bedbugs can be found anywhere, not just in urban areas. In fact, people living in rural areas may have less access to good pest control services, making it more difficult to get rid of bedbugs. The report may only reflect areas where big companies have a stronger presence and does not necessarily reflect the problem across the US evenly.
Places tend to get attention for bedbugs when people are visiting and looking for them, according to experts. This can be due to factors such as major events like the World Cup or Paris Fashion Week. In the case of Warren, Michigan, it may be that people are visiting family this summer and encountering bedbugs in their homes, taking them back to hotels.
Bedbugs are more likely to be found in apartment complexes and people's homes than in hotels. The elderly are particularly prone to infestations due to their diminished immune responses and other health challenges. To prevent bedbugs from coming home with you, it's essential to be alert and check your bed, particularly along the seams and behind the headboard.
Experts advise using a sticky roller on clothes and upholstery to check for bugs, as well as checking the bottom of shoes. In some cases, people may need to employ professionals to eradicate bedbugs. While bedbugs can be scary, they are still just an insect, and we have many effective ways to get rid of them.
