Michigan Labor Day Travel Alert: 50 Cities Crawling With Bed Bugs

Getting out of Michigan and exploring the country is a great way to relax and unplug. However, according to Orkin, suppose your travels are taking you to one of the country's 50 most bed bug-infested cities. In that case, you may want to reconsider your stay or at least take every precaution to ensure you don't bring any bloodsuckers back to your Michigan bedroom. Is your vacation destination on Orkin's list of America's most bed bug-infested cities?

Related: Michigan Has 3 of the 'Top Rat Infested' Cities In the US

Michigan's bed bugs are flat, oval-shaped insects that grow to about the size of an apple seed (5-7mm or 3/16 - 1/4 inch long) and may appear long and brown if they haven't fed or oval and reddish if they've recently dined on blood. The young bed bugs, also called nymphs, are smaller, translucent, or whitish-yellowish in color and, if not recently fed, can be nearly invisible because of their coloring and size.

The Signs Michiganders Need to Know When to Spot a Bed Bug Infestation

Since bed bugs are nocturnal and their nymphs and eggs are nearly microscopic, how can you spot the signs of an infestation in your hotel or rental without actually laying eyes on one? You have to look (and smell) for their telltale signs.

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As Michiganders head out on vacations, it's important to keep a keen eye out for potential bed bug encounters. Check for small reddish-brown statins on bedding, a musty odor, or tiny dark spots on furniture.

Inspect seams, folds, and mattress corners for their hiding spots. In Michigan and throughout the country, staying vigilant ensures that your trip remains bed bug-free and your home will.

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Unfortunately, getting rid of bed bugs you've brought back to Michigan, whether on your luggage or hitching a ride on a cuff, can be expensive and drawn out. It's best to check for signs of infestation in your rental or hotel before even bringing the bags in from the car. Let's take a look at the 50 cities Orkin recommends you use extra caution in when avoiding bed bugs.