Two Iowa Cities Rule in Gross Bed Bug Ranking

You are probably familiar with the phrase, "sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite!"

Well, two places in Iowa apparently took this a bit too literally...

Orkin officials came out with their annual bed bug cities list for 2024. This list is a compilation of the worst cities for bed bugs. It's based off of "treatment data" from the areas that Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments.

This data is compiled from information and treatment numbers from December 1st, 2022, to November 30th, 2023.

Identifying Bed Bugs

Adult bed bugs are brown and are the size of an apple seed, according to officials. They are VERY smelly as well. These pests give off a "musty sweetish" odor.

One of the best ways to help detect bed bugs early is to keep a careful eye on your luggage at hotels. Oftentimes the creatures can be found in common places in a hotel room like the luggage rack.

Also, it never hurts to use a protective cover on your mattress to make sure they don't sneak inside.

The Worst Cities for Bed Bugs Include Two Places In Iowa

Here is the list of the top ten cities in the nation with the worst bed bug problem:

1. Chicago

2. New York

3. Philadelphia

4. Cleveland-Akron, OH

5. Los Angeles

6. Detroit

7. Washington, D.C.

8. Indianapolis

9. Charlotte

10. Champaign, IL

You might be wondering, just where does Iowa fall on this list?

Well, luckily the two Iowa cities that did make the list are not in the top ten and thankfully they aren't even in the top twenty!

This study from Orkin ranked Davenport, Iowa as the 29th worst city in the nation for bed bugs and Cedar Rapids as 39th.

While this is a relatively gross accomplishment, there are some positives about this year's list. Cedar Rapids actually fell eight spots on this list compared to last year.

Davenport on the other hand...

This city went up eight spots in the ranking compared to 2023's list.

So, you win some and you lose some, Iowa!

Also, just a heads up...

Orkin officials said that Cedar Rapids was in Michigan not Iowa which is incorrect.

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