Start Scratching! Pest Control Company Names Philadelphia Most Bed Bug Infested City
By Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Start scratching! Philadelphia has overtaken New York City to be named the most bed-bug infested city.
New York held the top spot for the past two years, but Philadelphia takes the top spot in the annual ranking, put together by pest control company Terminix.
Several cities join Philadelphia with growing bed bug populations, including Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
The company warns the problem will likely grow as summer travelers encounter bed bugs in hotels, airports, and public transportation.
Hope Mikell from West Philly says, when she travels, not only does she check for bed bugs, she comes prepared. "Yes, always, Lysol and Clorox, that helps. And, a blow dryer. Put it on high, the heat, go across the mattress."
Some more advice for travelers: check hotel headboards and the folds in mattresses for bed bugs or dark spots.
When you're in a hotel, hang up all your clothes, never use drawers, never lay anything on the bed and never throw anything on the floor.
And, keep your suitcase on the luggage rack -- up off the floor, as far from the bed as possible.
