Huntington Beach, CA, March 10th, 2022
One of the nation’s largest commercial and residential pest control companies recently published its annual Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list and it included two major population centers in California. The highest ranking California city from the list was Los Angeles (12th) followed by the San Francisco (19th). The list was compiled from bed bug data for residential and commercial treatments from the pest control company’s operations spanning December 1st of 2020 through November 30th of 2021.
Bed bugs are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of people and animals, usually while they sleep. They are experts at hiding, which can make them difficult to find. The presence of bed bugs can be an ongoing annoyance because they may cause itching and loss of sleep for people living in, or visiting, an infested property. Some people may even suffer allergic reactions to their presence.
“Los Angeles and San Francisco were the only two cities in California to make the top 50 list for bed bug infestations,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Los Angeles actually dropped 3 spots and San Francisco moved up the ranking by 3. Unfortunately, bed bug infestations are an ongoing concern for hotels, resorts, dorms, and apartment complexes throughout the state. It’s important to recognize that treating a minor infestation is far less costly than treating an infestation that has become widespread.”
To help in these efforts, LA Testing offers a way to test for the presence of bed bugs. A dust sample is collected and sent to the laboratory where it is analyzed using advanced DNA-based techniques. If results indicate the insects are present, corrective actions can then be implemented to eradicate the pests before conditions get worse.
LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about bed bugs that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/gfAt_UAgNqA
To learn more about bed bug testing or other building science, indoor environmental quality, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. To access test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.