Worst Bed Bug Cities 2012

The “City of Brotherly Love” is probably not loving being declared the most bedbug-infested city in the U.S. However, according to an annual ranking released today by Terminix, Philadelphia replaces New York City as the metropolitan area most infested by bedbugs.

“Bedbugs continue to increase their presence across the U.S.,” Terminix entomologist Stoy Hedges said in a press release. “While major metropolitan areas are most at risk, it is important to note that bedbugs have been spotted in cities and towns across the country.”

Here are the 15 cities that topped the Terminix list:

1. Philadelphia
2. Cincinnati
3. New York City
4. Chicago
5. Detroit
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Columbus, Ohio
8. San Francisco
9. Denver
10. New Haven, Conn.
11. Dallas
12. Houston
13. Indianapolis
14. Miami
15. Cleveland

It bears mentioning that a similar ranking released this March from Rollins (NYSE:ROL) pest control subsidy Orkin, did not even list Philadelphia among its top 15 cities with bedbug woes.

To compile its list, Terminix collected data from 300 of its branches across the country. Service calls from customers as well as confirmed bedbug cases were included in the data.

The company said that bedbug infestations can get worse during the summer as more travelers spend time in hotels and airports. It also noted that the tiny pests are sneaky.” Bedbugs can cause itchy welts and rashes, and may go undetected for months in a home or business,” Hedges said. “It is important for consumers to know the signs of an infestation and to have their home inspected by a professional if they suspect a problem.”