1. Milwaukee
- Current Status: Milwaukee ranks 25th on Orkin’s 2024 list of cities with the worst bed bug problems, moving up 15 spots from the previous year.
- Efforts: Residents are advised to regularly inspect homes for signs of bed bugs, such as shed skins and blood spots, and to declutter to make detection easier.
2. Madison
- Current Status: While not ranked in the top 50, Madison has seen an increase in bed bug reports, prompting local pest control services to offer specialized treatments.
- Efforts: Public awareness campaigns emphasize the importance of checking second-hand items and using mattress encasements to prevent infestations.
3. Green Bay
- Current Status: Similar to Madison, Green Bay has experienced rising bed bug issues, though it is not listed among the worst cities.
- Efforts: Local health departments provide guidance on identifying and managing bed bugs, including recommendations for professional treatment.
4. Kenosha
- Current Status: Kenosha has seen occasional bed bug outbreaks, particularly in multi-unit dwellings.
- Efforts: Landlords and tenants are advised to work together to address infestations promptly, using a combination of chemical treatments and non-chemical methods like heat treatment.
5. Racine
- Current Status: Racine has reported fewer bed bug cases compared to Milwaukee but still faces challenges in managing infestations.
- Efforts: Community education programs focus on prevention strategies, including regular inspections and proper disposal of infested items.
General Strategies Across Wisconsin
- Prevention: Regular home inspections and decluttering are key to preventing bed bug infestations.
- Professional Treatment: When infestations occur, contacting pest control professionals is often necessary due to the difficulty in treating bed bugs effectively without specialized equipment and expertise.
- Legislative Support: Landlords and tenants are advised to understand their legal responsibilities regarding bed bug management, with resources available from local authorities to help navigate these issues.
- https://wiba.iheart.com/content/2024-01-25-wisconsin-city-named-among-the-worst-cities-for-bed-bugs-in-the-us/
- https://b100quadcities.com/wisconsin-has-one-of-the-most-bed-bug-infested-cities-in-the-u-s/
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-01-12-one-wisconsin-city-among-the-worst-for-bed-bugs/
- https://www.orkin.com/press-room/2024-worst-cities-for-bed-bugs
