4 Michigan Cities Rank Among Worst In The Nation For Bed Bug Infestations
It's nearly summertime in Michigan! As the weather changes, many are gearing up for some travel. Shockingly, there are 4 Michigan cities where you might want to be on the lookout for BEDBUGS!
Despite their universal loathing by all, bed bugs aren't going anywhere. In fact, with the recent uptick in travel post-pandemic, they can spread even faster.
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If you're unfamiliar with these credit card-thin vampires, here's a quick overview of how these insects make life miserable, not only for those they've dined upon but those who have to evict them.
Bed Bugs in Michigan And What To Look Out For
Bed bugs are tiny brown insects, on average, only 5 millimeters long, with oval-shaped bodies, and eat the blood of their victims while they sleep. Bed bugs aren't picky eaters, feeding on birds and mammals but, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they seem to prefer human blood.
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Their tiny bodies also make them hard to spot, so when checking your space it's easier to look for signs of their occupation than it is to see the individual insects:
- Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed.
- Dark spots (about this size: •), which are bed bug excrement and may bleed on the fabric like a marker would.
- Eggs and eggshells, which are tiny (about 1mm) and pale yellow skins that nymphs shed as they grow larger.
- Live bed bugs.
The pest-busters at Orkin have provided another tool in the form of data. Every year they put together a list of the Top 50 Cities for Bed Bugs list, which draws data from the most bed bug treatments in a given year. So which Michigan cities made the list?
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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow