Tennessee Is Home To Two Of The Most Bed Bug Infested Cities

The phrase “Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite” might be a little more literal in Tennessee than one might hope. It’s been all over the news that Paris has been absolutely overtaken by these gross critters that terrorize you in your sleep.

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but bed bugs are not a problem that is exclusive to our friends across the ocean.

John-Reynolds

The bug boys over at Orkin released their list of the most bed bug-infested cities in the United States and Nashville and Knoxville are the representatives from The Volunteer State coming in at #30 and #34

Why Nashville?

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Bed bugs seem to be the most prominent in large metropolitan areas, with Chicago and New York sitting at first and second place respectively. These little critters loves to inhabit your less-than-clean hotels and will travel with you if they get the chance. Maybe these big-city tourists can stay up north with their bugs and leave us alone.

Why Knoxville?

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Another pretty common theme on this list was big college towns, and Knoxville seems to have picked up the torch for the SEC. But with the reputation college kids have, are any of us shocked by this news? I think anyone who’s ever been in a frat house can tell you that bed bugs don’t even crack the top 3 grossest things you’ll see. Maybe one day these kids will learn how to wash their sheets.

Where Else Are These Hiding?

At least Nashville is only #30, right? We already got Chicago and New York as our 1 and 2, but where else to these pests like to call home?

States around Tennessee are having it rough. North Carolina has Raleigh-Durham and Greensboro both cracking the top 25. Virginia has Richmond and Norfolk both in the top 30 and Kentucky sneaks on to the back end of the list with Louisville and Lexington rounding out the 50 cities listed by Orkin.

I’ve Got Bugs, What Do I Do?

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Unfortunately, there aren’t many home remedies that can cure your infestation. These little bugs are great at hiding and by the time you find them, the females could have laid over 500 eggs. That thought alone is enough my lunch come back up. If you’ve got them in your hotel room, get out as fast as possible and maybe consider lighting your luggage on fire. If they’ve gotten into your house, call the exterminators and pray to god.

In all seriousness, these little guys can be gross and will bite you as you try to get some shuteye. Make sure you’re always checking your mattress, especially is you’ve been traveling recently.