TAMPA, Fla. — Five Florida cities were recently ranked among the top 50 for bed bug infestations.
Orlando and Tampa ranked 19th and 20th, respectively. Miami ranked 36th, Jacksonville ranked 42nd and West Palm Beach ranked 43rd.
While Ohio had the most cities on the list, Florida followed closely with five cities ranked.
The list comes from Terminix, a pest control services provider, as part of Bed Bug Awareness Week. Terminix said it based its rankings on the number of bed bug services done in each city in the past year.
“Bed bugs continue to pose concerns for public health, as their presence is felt across the country, in cities large and small,” Matthew Stevenson, president of Terminix Residential, said in a news release.
Along with its annual ranking, Terminix also shared tips to avoid being bitten by or transporting bed bugs when traveling.
- Check headboards, mattresses and box springs in hotels for live bed bugs and/or dark blood spots.
- Full-grown bed bugs are about the size, shape and color of an apple seed. Newly-hatched nymphs are cream-colored and the size of letters on a penny. They can be found in the tucks and folds of sheets.
- Hang all clothing. Leave nothing lying on the bed or hotel furniture.
- Avoid storing belongings in hotel furniture drawers.
- Store suitcases on a luggage rack away from the bed.
- Vacuum suitcases when you get home, and wash clothing in hot water.
- Between trips, store luggage in sealed plastic bags in a garage or basement.
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