Michigan ranks as America’s most dangerous state for bedbugs, the report said
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A new report ranks which US cities and states appear to carry the greatest risk for travelers encountering bed bugs.
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on blood. They’re about the size of an apple seed, Zachary DeVries, an associate professor of urban entomology at the University of Kentucky, told Fox News Digital.
“Beds live near people or animals and like to be where we sleep or rest – beds, sofas, nearby furniture, etc.,” he said.
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A report published by casino.ca ranks Michigan as a state at high risk for bed bugs, with an estimated 1 in 57 bed bug encounters there. Warren, Michigan, is the hottest city in America, the book says.
Ohio was the second most likely state for people to encounter bed bugs, while Maryland came in as the third most dangerous. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were fourth and fifth on the list, respectively.
Travelers are warned that parts of Michigan and Nevada are crawling with bugs. (Stock)
After Warren, North Las Vegas, NV and Madison, WI were the top cities with bed bugs, according to the report.
Hawaii was the state where travelers were least likely to encounter bed bugs, followed by Oregon.
Casino.ca said it combined the latest bug ratings from Orkin and Terminix with TripAdvisor hotel reviews from three major cities across the province. It also analyzed low-rated reviews that mentioned bugs, treatment data and social media posts to estimate the risk of encounter.
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While such reports “make for interesting reading,” DeVries cautioned against putting too much stock in them.
“The biggest problem I have with these [rankings] “They make it seem like urban areas have all the bedbug problems, but from some of the recent work we’ve done and the unexplained reports, we know that bedbugs can appear anywhere – urban, suburban or rural,” he said.
Warren, Michigan ranks as the best place for bedbugs in America, with a 1 in 59 chance. (Stock)
“In fact, while people are crowded together in urban areas and thus more vulnerable to bed bugs, those living in rural areas may not have access to good pest control services and therefore may find it more difficult to get rid of bed bugs.”
This latest report represents areas where large companies are strong and does not reflect the problem across the US equally, DeVries added.
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Dini Miller, a professor of urban pest management at Virginia Tech University, told Fox News Digital that places often attract the attention of bedbugs when people visit and search for them.
“You won’t believe how many media companies caught me during Paris Fashion Week,” he said, adding that the same trend may be happening now because of the World Cup.
Bed bugs are often found near mattress seams, behind headboards, furniture joints and near baseboards in hotel rooms, experts say. (Stock)
Miller said Warren, MI, which is not a popular tourist destination, may have topped the list because people are visiting family this summer, encountering bedbugs in their homes and possibly bringing them back to hotels.
Bed bugs are more likely to be found in apartments and private homes than in hotels, experts say. Older people are more prone to hives, Miller said, because their weakened immune systems and other health challenges often make them less able to get bitten.
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“Hotels are very careful about looking for bed bugs because they don’t want to end up on the Bed Bug Registry,” said Miller.
They also change their bedding regularly, he said, and washing the sheets helps kill bugs.
It’s important to look for live or dead bugs and stains in the stool, which will appear as small dots, DeVries said.
Ohio is ranked as the second most common bed bug state. (Stock)
“If you’re on a trip, it’s good to wake up and check your bed,” he said. “Look around the seams and behind the headboard and nearby furniture. There’s no need to spend tons of time searching, but a quick look can go a long way in preventing them from coming home with you.”
Miller travels frequently for his work and stays in hotels around the world several times each month. He also visits people’s homes full of bugs and says he has never brought bugs home in 20 years.
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He advises, as a precaution, to use a sticky roller on clothing and upholstery to check for bedbugs. Check out the shoes, too. She tells social workers who often visit homes infested with bedbugs to bring their own folding chairs and carry their belongings in a plastic tub with a crack lid.
Miller said a bug or two probably won’t cause an attack, unless it’s a pregnant woman. Putting the fabric in the dryer on high heat for about half an hour is usually enough to kill the bugs.
Hotels that often change bedding and want to avoid the Bed Bug Registry are less likely to be infested with bed bugs than apartment buildings or private homes, experts say. (Stock)
However, in some cases it may be necessary for people to hire professionals to get rid of bed bugs.
“Bugs are a part of life now,” DeVries said. “Because of the difficulty of removing them and the damage they can cause, it is important to stand up even when you live in multi-family housing.
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“That being said, don’t let bed bugs rule your life. The only true way to never get bed bugs is to live alone, but then you miss out on all the fun things out there. While bed bugs can be scary, they’re still just an insect, and we have many effective ways to get rid of them.”
