Get Ready to Scratch! Bed Bugs Are a Problem in These Michigan Cities

Just writing this story had me itching a little for no apparent reason except for the fact I typed the words bed bugs. Is there anything more disgusting to think about? Let me add to the pseudo itching you are now experiencing by telling you quite a few Michigan cities made the Top Bed Bug Cities List, and one is right here in Genesee County.

Orkin kindly, and a bit strangely, puts out the Orkin’s Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list each year. According to the report, Orkin reviews the data on residential and commercial bed bug treatments performed in metro areas across the U.S. to rank the top 50 cities with the highest bed bug concentrations. It's a dirty job, but someone needs to do it right?

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Leading the way this year, and jumping ( no pun intended0, two spots was the city of Chicago. It probably isn't appropriate to congratulate them on a list nobody really wants to top, buy all the same...yay Chicago. They were followed by Baltimore, holding once again at #2, and Washington, DC who lost the crown and fell two spots to #3.

How Buggy is Michigan?

So how are the bed bugs in Michigan? Thriving, unfortunately. While we didn't score a top 3 slot, we did make a showing at #4 with Detroit. Grand Rapids helped us make two appearances in the top 10 coming in at #10.

For the Genesee County area, Flint scored a spot in the top 25 for bed bug cities crawling in at #21. Lastly, Lansing rounded out our creepy accomplishments landing near the bottom at #48.

Now keep in mind the report isn't saying if you visit or live in these cities you'll find yourself sharing the sheets with the little creatures. Bed bugs can really happen anywhere.

Orkin suggests calling for an assessment if you suspect you may be dealing with bed bugs. Not sure what to look for? According to Orkin, 

"Blood spots found on one's sheets, bites and the presence of bed bug feces and cast skins are some of the indications of a bed bug infestation. Bites are commonly found on the parts of the body that are more likely to be exposed to bed bugs during sleep - the hands, neck, face, shoulders, legs and arms."

On that note...I need to go take a long shower. Yuck.