MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Orkin Canada has released its annual list of the top 25 “bed buggiest” cities in Canada, with Toronto claiming the top spot for the seventh-consecutive year. The list is compiled based on the number of commercial and residential bed-bug treatments performed by the company in 2023.
Vancouver dropped from second to sixth place, while Sudbury, Ont. rose to second place and Oshawa to third. Winnipeg also cracked the top-10 this year after placing 11th in 2022, now ranking seventh across the country.
The top 10 bed bug ridden cities in Canada are:
- Toronto
- Sudbury, Ont.
- Oshawa, Ont.
- Hamilton, Ont.
- Ottawa
- Vancouver
- Winnipeg
- St. John’s
- Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
- Scarborough, Ont.
Following the Paris bed bug craze, Orkin Canada urges residents and tourists not to panic but to be vigilant and stay on the lookout for signs and traces of bed bugs in order to avoid infestations. While bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, they’re cryptic and excellent at hiding, making them difficult to control. Having a trained professional intervene at the first sight of a bed bug is highly recommended.
“As we’ve seen travel return to pre-pandemic levels, Canadians should be on guard for bed bugs, as these pests are extremely resilient and can hitchhike from place to place unnoticed and with ease,” says Dr. Alice Sinia, an entomologist with Orkin Canada. “Known as expert hitchhikers, bed bugs cling to clothing, luggage and furniture to invade new spaces, stowing themselves in baseboards, electronics, bedding, wallpaper, wall hangings and sofas.”
