For the 1st time, Minneapolis makes ranking of top 50 worst cities for bedbugs
MINNEAPOLIS — For the first time, Minnesota's biggest city has made a ranking of the top 50 worst cities for bedbugs.
Orkin, a pest control company, released its Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List earlier this week. The ranking is based on treatment data from cities where Orkin performed the most bedbug treatments.
Chicago has taken the No. 1 spot for the fourth year in a row, followed by New York and Philadelphia.
Minneapolis, a newcomer on the list, was ranked as the 47th-worst state for bedbugs. Other cities that were new to the list included Las Vegas and Oklahoma City.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, bedbugs are parasites that can feed on humans, "using their blood to grow and reproduce." The parasite can feed on other animals, too, such as dogs, cats and other pets.
While they're not known to transmit diseases, the bite of a bedbug can cause reactions that vary from mild to severe. A severe reaction could include a rash or hives, the health department said.
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Adult bedbugs are described as oval, flattened, brown and wingless. They are approximately between one-quarter and three-eighths of an inch long and have been likened to a wood tick.
It's recommended to contact an expert in pest control to address the issue.
