Bed bugs on the move: New report names most infested cities across Canada

Toronto has ranked first on Orkin Canada's annual "bed buggiest" cities list, joining Paris, France in the global bed bug limelight

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 19, 2024 /CNW/ - Orkin Canada has released its annual list of the top 25 "bed buggiest" cities in Canada, with Toronto claiming the top spot for the seventh year in a row.

Vancouver dropped from second to sixth place on this year's ranking, while Sudbury rose to second place and Oshawa to third. Winnipeg also cracked the top ten this year after placing eleventh in 2022, now ranking seventh across the country.

As spring rolls in, pest control leader Orkin Canada reminds homeowners and travellers to take precautions against bringing bed bugs back with them. *Cities are ranked by the number of bed bug treatments the company performed from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. This ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments. (CNW Group/Orkin Canada)

The top 10 bed bug ridden cities in Canada are:

1. Toronto
2. Sudbury
3. Oshawa
4. Hamilton
5. Ottawa
6. Vancouver
7. Winnipeg
8. St. John's
9. Sault Ste. Marie
10. Scarborough

"As we've seen travel return to pre-pandemic levels, Canadians should be on guard for bed bugs, as these pests are extremely resilient and can hitchhike from place to place unnoticed and with ease," said Dr. Alice Sinia, an entomologist with Orkin Canada. "Known as expert hitchhikers, bed bugs cling to clothing, luggage and furniture to invade new spaces, stowing themselves in baseboards, electronics, bedding, wallpaper, wall hangings and sofas."

Following the Paris bed bug craze, Orkin Canada urges residents and tourists not to panic but to be vigilant and stay on the lookout for signs and traces of bed bugs in order to avoid infestations. While bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, they are cryptic and excellent at hiding, making them difficult to control. Having a trained professional intervene at the first sight of a bed bug is highly recommended.

Orkin Canada's K9 team of detection dogs are trained to locate bed bugs with incredible accuracy. Available across Canada, the K9 team detects bed bugs and their eggs, dead or alive, signaling to their handlers for further inspection. For more information about bed bug prevention or the K9 program, see here.

The Orkin Canada bed bug list is compiled based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments performed by the company in 2023 (January 1 – December 31). For a complete list of Canada's bed buggiest cities please download here for English and here for French.

About Orkin Canada

Orkin Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE:ROL) is Canada's largest pest control and environment services provider; leader in the development of fast, effective and environmentally responsible pest control solutions. One key program is the Home Pest Protection Program that provides customized pest control and prevention services to homeowners and property owners ensuring a pest free environment. Orkin Canada provides professional services to both residential and commercial clients from coast to coast. For more information and pest tips, visit www.orkincanada.ca, like www.facebook.com/OrkinCanada or subscribe to @Orkin.Canada on YouTube.

SOURCE Orkin Canada

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