According to a report released by a pest control company in 2020, Cincinnati, Ohio, has ranked in the top 10 worst cities for bed bugs. This is based on data from the areas where the company performed the most bed bug treatments.
If you are worried about bed bugs in Cincinnati, Ohio, here’s everything you need to know about these pesky critters.
Bed Bugs in Cincinnati, Ohio
Bed bugs are notoriously tenacious, and they don’t reside in just Cincinnati alone. In fact, as you are en route to the I-71, there is a high chance that you’ll be carrying the pesky critters when you travel to nearby areas, like Columbus and Cleveland, without you even knowing it.
It’s highly important to perform safety measures when traveling. If you’re going to be sleeping somewhere unfamiliar, check the room and mattresses for any sign of a bed bug infestation. This is to make sure that they don’t hitchhike onto you when you leave.
Bed bugs are opportunists — if they see a live host, they’ll latch on to it. If even a single bed bug is left untreated in your home, you could have a major infestation within a few weeks. An adult bed bug can lay anywhere from 200 to 250 eggs in her lifetime.
Signs of Bed Bugs Infestation in Cincinnati
Some places are more prone to bed bugs than others, and it has nothing to do with its cleanliness. If you live in a densely-packed apartment complex or tenement in Cincinnati, you may be more susceptible to these pests, as they thrive in shared spaces and can quickly spread like wildfire. Hotels and nursing homes are also some other places you can get bed bugs from.
The first sign to look for if you’re worried you may have bed bugs in your home is to check your mattresses for any reddish-brown spots. These are bed bug excrements or blood.
If you notice weird bites or rashes on your skin, you most probably have bed bugs on your mattress. Resist the urge to scratch, as doing so might cause an infection.
Examine soft furniture, carpets, and curtains for any eggs or bed bug skins that the pesky critters may have discarded. They can also hide in tiny cracks and crevices, wooden furniture, and electrical outlets. But do you know what causes bed bugs?
What To Do
Prevention
We always tell people that the best way to handle a bed bug problem is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. If you’re traveling, don’t put your luggage on the bed as soon as you get home; instead, inspect your belongings in the bathroom first to make sure that no bed bug has hitched a ride. Examine the clothes that you have on as well.
Eliminate clutter. Bed bugs cling onto everything — stuffed toys, wooden furniture, old books — so make sure to throw away things you no longer need.
If you’re buying old/used furniture, you must make it a point to examine it before bringing it home thoroughly. If possible, steam clean it, as bed bugs will die when exposed to 140 degrees and above temperatures. We also strongly disapprove of buying used mattresses as this is where most bed bugs problems start.
Treatment
Professional Service
If there is a bed bug infestation in your home, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll die out on their own. Eliminating bed bugs requires the help of a professional. These experts also have access to powerful insecticides that have a specific set of rules in administering, so they don’t become a health hazard to you, your family, and your pets. Some over-the-counter “insecticides” really scatter the bed bugs around and give them a better opportunity to hide. You don’t need us to tell you that that’s a big problem.
Ace Exterminating and Black Diamond Pest Control are great Cincinnati-based pest exterminators.
Read: Will Your Pets Carry Bed Bugs?
DIY Treatment
If you must treat the bed bugs in your Cincinnati home on your own, here are a few ways to do this.
Strip your mattress of its linens and beddings and throw everything in the washer with hot water. Dry them off with the highest dryer setting. You can also do the same for your curtains and clothes.
Next, use a hard brush on the seams of your mattress to dislodge any hidden bed bugs or eggs. Run a vacuum through it. Do the same for your carpets. Once done, empty the vacuum bag in a plastic bag outside your house immediately, and discard the bag as far away from your home as possible. Bed bugs can’t jump or fly; this ensures that they don’t find their way back to your home. [1]
Replace any peeling wallpaper and seal all the cracks and crevices, so the bed bugs are trapped inside.
Lastly, steam clean your entire home so the bed bugs can die immediately in contact.
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Bed Bug Laws in Cincinnati
According to the Cincinnati Landlord-Tenant Bed Bug Law, “the abatement of vermin is the responsibility of both the owner/manager and the occupant of an infested building.” In other words, there isn’t a clear bed bug law in Ohio on which party is responsible for treating the bed bug infestation.
In this case, we would suggest getting in touch with the building administration to get the participation of all apartments adjacent to the infestation and all shared areas to be able to treat the problem. Offer to split the fees for treatment. If the landlord refuses to help, you can contact the local health department for assistance.
FAQs
Are bed bugs common in Cincinnati, Ohio?
Yes, bed bugs are common in Ohio, specifically in Cincinnati. According to a report by Orkin, a pest control company, the city has ranked in their top 10 worst cities for bed bugs. This data is based on the number of bed bug treatments they have performed in the area.
Can I sue my landlord if I have bed bugs in my Cincinnati apartment?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit against your landlord if you have bed bugs in your Cincinnati apartment. This can be filed under the basis of negligence, as their specific duty of care towards you has been breached. They could be held liable for the damages the breach of duty caused (in this case, the bed bug infestation).
Final Thoughts
Once a bed bug infestation starts, it can be extremely difficult to eliminate it. The best way to tackle a bed bug problem in Central Ohio is to prevent them from coming into your home in the first place. If you have to travel, make sure that the hotel room you choose does not house bed bugs, and take the necessary precautionary measures once you get home.
If you do move into a Cincinnati home with a bed bug problem, know that there are laws that can protect you and your family.
Reference:
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/top-10-myths-about-bedbugs/
Alene Schill is a property manager from Columbus, Ohio, who has dealt with numerous pest control agencies. She helps families find the perfect homes and knows very well that bed bugs are an ultimate deal-breaker. She enjoys cycling around Scioto Mile during her spare time.