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OHIO — Orkin, a pest control company, released its annual rankings for Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List, and several Ohio cities are on it. 

Orkin said the list is based on data from treatments in the metro areas that the company performed between Dec. 1, 2021 to Nov. 30, 2022 and includes both residential and commercial treatments.

These Ohio cities ranked the following:

• Cleveland-Akron at No. 4
• Columbus at No. 10
• Cincinnati at No. 3
• Youngstown at No. 27
• Dayton at No. 34
• Toledo at No. 38

The top three cities with the most bed bugs are Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. 

Bed bugs are about 3/16 of an inch long, can be red or dark brown and appear at night. They rely on blood for their food supply, so they bite humans in the night while they are sleeping. These critters can travel easily, attaching to luggage, purses and other belongings. 

“Bed bugs are extremely resilient, making them difficult to control. As people begin to ramp up their travel plans this year, it’s important they know how to protect themselves through pest identification and proper control,” said Ben Hottel, Orkin entomologist. “Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, but are excellent at hiding. Involving a trained professional at the sight of a bed bug introduction is recommended.”

To protect yourself from bed bugs, Orkin gave these tips:

At home

• Check your home for signs of bed bugs regularly, which includes checking mattress tags and seams, behind baseboards, headboards, outlets and picture frames. This is especially important to do after moving, coming back from a trip or when guests visit your home.

• Bed bugs could be easier to spot by decreasing clutter.

• Before bringing in secondhand furniture, examine it first.

During travel

Try the acronym S.L.E.E.P. to inspect for bed bugs:

• Survey the hotel room for signs of an infestation — 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. Try putting in the bathroom or on counters.

• Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and once you return home from a trip. Keep the 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.