Bed bugs, tiny bloodsucking pests, are becoming an increasingly concerning public health issue in Canada, particularly here in Ontario.
Unfortunately, our province is a bit of a hot-spot for the pesky critters as it's home to 15 out of 25 of the country's worst cities for bed bug infestations according to Orkin Canada's annual ranking for 2023.
Cities are ranked by the number of bed bug treatments the company performed for both residential and commercial customers during 2023.
Topping the list is once again Toronto for the seventh straight year, followed by Sudbury and Oshawa to round out the top three. Seven out of the top 10 on the list are in Ontario.
Here are the top 10 bed bug ridden cities in Canada:
- Toronto
- Sudbury
- Oshawa
- Hamilton
- Ottawa
- Vancouver
- Winnipeg
- St. John’s
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Scarborough
As for Orkin Canada’s extended top 25 list, several other Ontario cities made the cut including London (13th), Timmins (15th), Windsor (16th), Mississauga (21st), Niagara Falls (22nd), and Peterborough (24th). North York (17th) and Etobicoke (20th) were also ranked as suburbs of Toronto.
According to Orkin Canada, identifying these bothersome pests is possible by detecting small, dark stains, shed skins, or live bugs, typically on mattress tags and seams, behind headboards, under-seat cushions, drawers' creases, carpets, and buckling wallpaper.
If you happen to discover bed bugs in your home, Orkin suggests several ways to prevent further infestation, including thoroughly examining bags and clothing, drying possibly contaminated bed linens or clothing on the highest heat setting, and carefully inspecting all used furniture before bringing it into your home.
According to Orkin Canada, bed bugs are also known to thrive in areas where there is a consistent supply of food, and they can easily move from one room to another through personal belongings, clothing, vacuum cleaners, and infested furniture. This makes homes, hotels, and businesses prime spots for bed bug infestations.
As Canadians plan their 2024 travels, it is essential to take necessary precautions against bringing bed bugs back home. Orkin Canada advises homeowners and travellers to be mindful of signs and traces of bed bugs to avoid any unwanted hitchhikers.
