A new report from Orkin names the Cleveland-Akron-Canton area the nation’s fifth worst for bed bug infestations.
Yuck.
This isn’t really news. We’ve been near the top of Orkin’s list for several years. But it gives me a good excuse to remind you yet again of what you can do to keep the little bloodsuckers from setting up camp in your home.
I know you want an easy answer, but there isn’t one. There’s no simple-to-use spray that’s safe to use in our homes and will cause all the bed bugs to go belly up.
Your best defense is vigilance. Look for signs of a bed bug infestation periodically, both at home and on the road, and call a pest control company if you find evidence of the insects in your home. Dealing with a major infestation can cost thousands of dollars, but if you catch one early, it’s much cheaper and less difficult to eliminate the insects.
Check out my column on preventing infestations, based on information from Ohio State University’s Susan Jones, who is perhaps the state’s foremost expert on bed bugs. And read up on Jones’ suggestions for people with infestations who can’t afford expensive treatments.
Here’s to itch-free nights.