Survey Ranks Bed Bugs As Most Feared Pest By Apartment Renters

If you're like me, and have lived in an apartment for the last 10 years, you know how frightening this is. It's even more frightening when you read that Grand Rapids made Orkin's Top Bed Bug Cities list.

Beg bugs, I'm always afraid they're going to jump from someone else's laundry to mine when I'm at the laundromat. I don't even know if that's possible, but if you somehow get the infestation, you'll know it.

Of the people polled, 39% stated they would least like to see bed bugs in their apartment. This outranked rodents, cockroaches, ants and flies. Where are the spiders?

Anyway, it's not hard to figure out if you've got a problem. Bed bugs feed only on blood, that means they bite you. If you wake up with itchy red welts and swelling on your body, chances are you've got some roommates.

If you start to notice the little intruders, you will want to notify your landlord immediately. Experts say that these bugs reproduce quickly and early detection is the key to help prevent a larger problem.

Feeling itchy after reading this? Here are some prevention tips to keep in mind while, not only living in an apartment, but traveling.

• Lift and look underneath the mattress, bed frame, headboard and furniture. Watch for live or dead bugs or tiny rust-colored spots.
• When traveling, elevate luggage on a luggage rack away from the bed and wall.
• Examine luggage carefully while repacking and upon returning home from travelling.
• Place all clothing from travel luggage in the dryer immediately for at least 15 minutes at the highest setting permitted for the items upon returning home.

So what about Grand Rapids being "Bed Bug City?"

Well, awhile back Orkin released a list of the top cities with bed bug problems. This was ranked by the number of treatments Orkin performed during 2013. Chicago came in first, followed by Los Angeles, Columbus (Ohio), Detroit and Cincinnati. Grand Rapids scored 33rd on the list of 50.

Sweet dreams!