Bed Bug Infestations In DC Among Worst In Nation: Report

WASHINGTON, DC -- The District has retained its No. 2 spot on a rather dubious list: Orkin's annual ranking of the top 50 bed bug cities in the United States.

Once again, D.C. has come in second to Baltimore, and just ahead of Chicago in the No. 3 spot.

"The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from December 1, 2016 – November 30, 2017," Orkin said in a statement. "The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments."

Bed bug infestations nationwide continue to rise, Orkin says. Bed bugs travel easily via luggage, clothing, or other belongings.

"In addition to single family homes, bed bugs can be found in apartments, hotels, hospitals and public places like daycare centers, public transit, schools and offices," the statement notes. "According to a 2015 "Bugs without Borders Survey" by the National Pest Management Association, the top three places where pest professionals report finding bed bugs are apartments/condominiums (95 percent), single-family homes (93 percent) and hotels/motels (75 percent)."

Last August, Terminix also ranked the cities on bed bug infestations. On that list, D.C. came one spot behind Baltimore, but all the way down in 13th. Cleveland and Cincinnati had the top two spots.

Bed bug bites can result in blisters, but they don't appear to commonly spread diseases to humans. They prefer other prey, but will feed on humans if no other food source is present.

Bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of, which makes them an infamous pest despite their relatively harmless nature. Pest companies like Orkin and Terminix use a combination of insecticides combined with non-pesticide approaches, like vacuuming the insects or heat-treating mattresses. Insecticides typically are less effective than mechanical methods.

Image via the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention