They may be creepy, crawly, and downright disgusting, but they are extremely common in Vancouver.
Each year, pest control company Orkin compiles its list of top bed bug cities in Canada. The company determined its latest rankings based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments carried out in each city between Jan. 1 and Dec 31, 2020.
According to Orkin, its ranking demonstrates "the national prevalence of this growing problem."
Canada's bed buggiest city is Toronto, followed by Sudbury, Ontario in second. The third most-infested city Canada-wide is Oshawa, Ontario.
This year, Vancouver ranked fourth on the list, which represents an improvement over last year when the city was the third most-infested Canada-wide. It was also the lone British Columbian city included in the ranking.
Winnipeg rounded out the top five, with St. John's ranking sixth most-infested. Scarborough came seventh, with Whitby in eighth. Edmonton took the number nine spot, with Canada's capital, Ottawa, rounding out the top 10 bed bug cities.
. By Photo via Orkin CanadaBed bugs are hitchhikers
Orkin is also advising residents that the pesky critters may find themselves new homes over the winter season. Unfortunately, bed bugs are adept hitchhikers, and they can thrive in either clean or dirty homes.
Since bed bugs are talented home-hoppers, early detection is the best way to reduce the chances of an infestation.
The creepy crawlers can move easily across a room and climb onto luggage or anything left on a bed in just one night
Some things you can do to reduce the risk of picking up bed bugs as you travel include:
- Do not put your clothing or luggage directly on the bed. If bed bugs are present in the bed, they can climb into bags, suitcases or any laundry left on the bed.
- Use metal luggage racks at all times. Bed bugs cannot easily climb metal surfaces, so they make an ideal overnight spot for your suitcase. Keep the rack away from the walls and any wooden furniture.
- Use small plastic bags to pack clothing, shoes and other personal items. This will help prevent any bed bugs that climb into your suitcase from getting into your house with your clothing. Bed bugs can also hide in books, cloth toiletry kits and other non-metal personal items.
- Hotels aren’t the only bed bug travel threats. Bed bugs thrive in dark, cool places with long-term access to humans. They can also be found on airplane and train seats, buses or in rental cars. It’s rare but it is possible to pick up bed bugs in places like these.
