There is nothing worse than finally making it to your vacation destination only to wake up on your first night’s stay because you have found hundreds of tiny imposters inside your bed with you.
The nightmare doesn’t stop there either. Bed bugs crawl onto your clothes, inside your suitcase, and under the kids stuffed animals; bringing the disaster home with you.
Know which cities have the biggest problem with this intrusive pest, because local chotskies are the only souvenirs you should take home with you.
Well-known extermination company Orkin releases a yearly list of the most bed bug infested cities for our viewing displeasure, and this year’s number one just rose up in the ranks.
10. Atlanta
You may have been hoping to catch some of that tasty soul food at the famous Busy Bee Café or see a beloved Braves game, but you may want to reconsider the cost of those experiences and opt for a city with a little less unwanted visitors.
9. Indianapolis
On top of tourists flocking to this popular city to see large events such as the Indy 500, it seems little bloodsuckers also enjoy spending time in the Midwest.
8. Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Museum Center offers a nice blend of culture and fun, but since the “Queen City” made it to the top 10 list this year you may want to get cultured elsewhere.
7. Detroit
Long known for its thriving industrial center, Detroit now is famous for one more thing- bed bugs!
6. New York City
Ninja Turtles in the sewers and bugs in your bed, New York City has always been full of surprises.
5. Columbus
Ohio now has two cities on the top ten list…need I say more?
4. Los Angeles
The City Of Angels has gotten a lot of attention lately for their growing homeless population, as Proud American Traveler has previously reported.
This along with the rampant drugs, crime, and now bed bugs, makes you want to rethink your sunshine getaway.
3. Chicago
You may want to look elsewhere for that epic piece of pie, because Chicago’s infestation problem seems to have risen faster than Al Capone’s empire.
2. Baltimore
This may be hard to believe, but being number two is an accomplishment for the crime-ridden city after they were number one for three straight years.
1. Washington, D.C.
The Nation’s capitol rang in at the top spot this year, which makes sense with its close proximity to Maryland and its 22 million domestic tourists annually.
If you are planning on seeing the sights at the National Mall or attending the beautiful annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in March and April, opt to stay at a nearby Virginia hotel instead and decrease your chances of coming back with more than you bargained for.
Bed bugs don’t typically transmit diseases to humans, but they do suck your blood, leave itchy red welts, and multiply quickly.
In short- they are not something you want to be dealing with in your home.
If you do end up staying in one of these cities of warning, do a good look over in your hotel room before you get settled down, as Proud American Traveler has previously reported.
Immediately ask for a change in rooms if you see any marks behind frames, on the mattress, or in the drawers.
Try your best not to let the fear of these little suckers take away your joy of travel. Just play it safe and smart and hopefully, you can dodge this pesky nuisance.
(h/t Proud American Traveler)