Florida City Has A Bed Bugs Problem
So many people will be going on vacations this summer visiting different cities around the U.S. Which mean you’ll be staying in hotels, resorts, and even renting homes Vrbo & AirBNB. June 2 kicks off Bed Bug Awareness Week and Pest Gnome helped us out by ranking the Worst Cities for Bed Bugs Infestations in 2024.
They compared the 500 biggest U.S. cities based on these categories: Multi-Unit Residential Buildings, Number of Accommodations, Number of Used Furniture Stores, Exterminators per 10,000 Homes, Average Monthly Google Searches for Bed Bug-Related Keywords Over Past Year, and Population Density. So if you’re headed to any of the cities below, check those sheets!
The other day I saw a reel on Instagram where a woman held a hot iron to her hotel sheets and revealed all the bed bugs that surfaced their way to the top. Apparently that’s a good quick hack to see if your hotel room is infested.
These are the Top 5 Worst Cities For Bed Bugs According To Pest Gnome
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Houston
- Chicago
- San Francisco
Only 1 Florida city made the list, thankfully it wasn’t anywhere near the Tampa Bay area. Miami ranked 6th in the worst cities for bed bugs. Fort Myers rounded out the bottom of the rankings at number 498.
Related: 5 Tampa Bay Hotels Where It’s Worth Getting A Day Pass
Here’s some tips from experts to help avoid bed bugs while on vacation this year.
- Check the couch and bathroom because Bed Bugs aren’t just in mattresses
- If you have a pet with you, check their fur
- Bring steamers, essential oils and dry cleaning helps fight Bed Bugs
- You can purchase a mattress cover for extra protection
- Grab some bed bug spray and repellent
6 Helpful Tips For Getting Rid Of Pesky Palmetto Bugs
Get A Cat
Partially joking but also kinda serious. My cats will kill a cockroach anytime I spot one in the house. Sure, I still have to deal with the deceased body but at least I don’t have to worry about hearing/feeling that “crunch” when you step on them. If you were thinking about adopting a cat recently, this is your sign.
Don't Keep Cardboard Piled Around The House
Cardboard is a cockroaches dream. They feast and live off cardboard. If it’s wet or rotting, they LOVE that. Always recycle your Amazon packages/other cardboard items as soon as you can.
Gel Bait/Boric Acid/Insecticides/Peppermint Oil
The Reddit user that listed the handy Florida cockroach guide also mentioned this bait is great for keeping cockroaches out of your home. Another user also chimed in and said it’s the only thing that’s worked for them. Other tips have suggested using boric acid or insecticides. Even a few people recommended peppermint oil. Dab some oil on doors, window frames, and vents to keep cockroaches away. Just be careful with these products as they can be poisonous for pets and children!
Re-caulk Your Windows/Doors
Another house project that you should consider doing once or twice a year is re-caulking your windows and doors. It’s a small step that could keep all kinds of unwanted pests out, and help lower that electric bill.
Call Your Neighborhood Pest Control
We won’t tell you WHICH trusty pest service to call, that’s what the Nextdoor app is for. But one fool-proof way to keeping these bugs out if your home is having a pest control service spray your house yearly or quarterly.
Sell The House And Move To Antarctica
If all else fails, sell the house and get the heck out of there. We hear Antarctica is the only country with no cockroaches.
NOVO, ANTARCTICA – In this undated handout photo provided by Walking with the Wounded (WWTW) on December 3, 2013, Prince Harry leads his Team UK in Antarctica on day one of the South Pole Allied Challenge. Trekking around 15km to 20km per day, the teams will endure temperatures as low as minus 45C and 50mph winds as they pull their 70kg sleds to the south pole.
