Sleep tight, bed bugs are probably gonna bite

Any press is good press…unless it’s about Columbus being one of the biggest hubs for bed bugs in the nation.

You could say we’re a hotbed for the little buggers (har har).

For the second-straight year, Columbus landed a spot in the top five cities for bed bugs according to Orkin.

Per the 10TV, the results are based off of where the most bed bug treatments are issued. Since last year, Columbus experienced a 6.3 percent increase.

Baltimore was plagued the worst followed by D.C., Chicago, and LA.

Here’s what Orkin recommends homeowners and travelers to do to protect against bed bugs:

At Home:

Inspect your home for signs of bed bugs regularly. Check the places where bed bugs hide during the day, including mattress tags and seams, and behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets and picture frames.
Decrease clutter around your home to make it easier to spot bed bugs on your own or during professional inspections.
Inspect all secondhand furniture before bringing it inside your home. This is a common way for bed bugs to be introduced into homes.
Dry potentially infested bed linens, curtains and stuffed animals on the hottest temperature allowed for the fabric.

During travel, remember the acronym S.L.E.E.P to inspect for bed bugs:

Survey the hotel room for signs of an infestation. Be on the lookout for tiny, ink-colored stains on mattress seams, in soft furniture and behind headboards.
Lift and look in bed bug hiding spots: the mattress, box spring, and other furniture, as well as behind baseboards, pictures and even torn wallpaper.
Elevate luggage away from the bed and wall. The safest places are in the bathroom or on counters.
Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and once you return home from a trip. Always store luggage away from the bed.
Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at the highest setting after you return home.

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