Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
L.A. Is One Of The Top-Five Most Bed Bug-Infested Cities
Ew! (Photo by jareynolds via Shutterstock)
()
When you're an adult, the phrase "sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite," doesn't have such a cutesy meaning as when you were a kid. And to make you scratch as you're reading this, it turns out that Los Angeles has scored fourth place in having the most bed bugs in any city.
Pest control service Terminix released this week their annual ranking of the most bed bug-infested cities in the United States, according to Boing Boing. The top one on the list was Detroit, Mich., which dethroned Philadelphia from the first place spot for the first time in four years. Surprisingly, New York City was at the bottom at 15, despite having some recent blood-sucking run-ins at the Times Square AMC Theater.
Terminix compiled this list using the highest volume of calls they received from Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 17, 2015. What's freaky though is that when you compare this to Terminix's 2014 list, which took a look at the dates Jan. 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014, L.A. was ranked at number 14. We've jumped up 10 spots since then. Though, comparing an entire 2015 year to a half 2014 year isn't completely equal.
"We've seen a steady increase in bed bugs since the 1990s, which has been influenced by increased international travel and infestations left untreated," Paul Curtis, manager, technical services at Terminix, said in a statement. "Most of the cities in our top 15 are big tourist and business destinations, making travelers even more at risk for encounters with bed bugs — whether it's on the plane, at their hotel, in a movie theater or riding in a taxi. The name 'bed bug' is deceptive, as these pests can thrive just about anywhere."
Support for LAist comes from
*shudder*
Here's the full 2015 list from Terminix, with the ranking from the previous year listed next to the names:
1. Detroit, Mich. (4)
2. Philadelphia, Pa. (1)
3. Cleveland-Akron, Ohio (15)
4. Los Angeles, Calif. (14)
5. Dayton, Ohio (-)
6. Chicago, Ill. (5)
7. Columbus, Ohio (8)
8. Cincinnati, Ohio (2)
9. Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas (7)
10. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif. (-)
11. Denver, Colo. (12)
12. Toledo, Ohio (-)
13. Oklahoma City, OK (-)
14. Baltimore, Md. (9)
15. New York, N.Y. (3)
Bed bugs are never fun, and pretty much give us nightmares. If you're ever unfortunate enough to experience these critters, here's some info about it from the California Department of Public Health. Bedtime reading, if you will.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist