Bed bugs are making a big comeback in Oregon. Several cities are working hard to get rid of the bugs that are bothering people in their homes, hotels, and public places.
New data from Orkin shows that three towns in Oregon—Portland, Eugene-Springfield, and Medford-Klamath Falls—have some of the most bed bugs in the country. Portland is the most notoriously bug-infested, ranking twelveth in the country.Even though these three cities are at the top of the list, other cities like Beaverton and Redmond are also dealing with ongoing outbreaks that require organized efforts from local and professional pest control services.
- Portland
As the biggest city in Oregon, Portland has seen a big rise in reports of bed bugs, especially in apartment buildings and neighborhoods with lots of people.The city’s thriving tourism business and lots of travel help the virus spread. Local pest control companies like Terminix and Portland Pest Solutions have stepped up their specialized treatment plans, which include thorough exams, custom extermination plans, and follow-up visits to make sure the pests are gone for good.
- Springfield and Eugene
Eugene-Springfield is ranked thirty-first in the country and has its own bed bug problems. The mild weather and high number of students and tourists in the area make it a good place for infestations to grow. Public health efforts focus on educating people and telling them to check their bedding and furniture, report sightings, and quickly get professional help.
- Medford-Klamath Falls
Bed bugs come to Medford-Klamath Falls from other places, like number 45, where tourists and new people stay. Containment is hard because of the mobile population and regional travel hubs, which means that people need to be constantly alert and work together as a community.
- Beaverton
Beaverton, which is just outside of Portland, has seen a rise in cases, which is why local pest control companies now offer full bed bug removal services. Some of these are chemical solutions and some are not. For example, heat remediation can get rid of both bugs and their eggs in one session.
- Redmond
Redmond is another place where people are worried about bed bugs. To get to bugs hiding in cracks and holes, professional exterminators in the area use a mix of fast-acting poisons, residual insecticides, and dust-based treatments. For really bad cases, whole-room heat treatments are also used to kill both bugs and their eggs.
Why the Surge?
Climate: Oregon’s warm, muggy weather is perfect for bed bugs to live and reproduce.
Travel: Bed bugs are easy to hide in luggage and clothes, and a lot of people move between cities and countries.
Lack of Awareness: Many people don’t know how to spot the early signs of an infestation, which makes it take longer to take action.
Community Response (CR)
Education: Cities are teaching people more about how to stop and find crime.
Professional Treatment: Local exterminators offer custom solutions, such as heat treatments and chemical applications that are done in more than one step.
Reporting: To stop the spread of infestations, people should tell their landlords, property managers, and local health officials about any problems they see.
The fight against bed bugs in Oregon is still going on, but these cities hope to lower infestations and protect public health by working together and being more aware.
