10 worst cities for bed bugs in Canada identified; number 1 is in Ontario

The bed bug report is back and several Ontario cities are among the 10 worst places in all of Canada for the pesky insects.

Pest control company Orkin Canada released its annual list of the country’s bed-buggiest cities earlier today. The list is based on the number of calls for commercial and residential bed bug treatments received by the company in 2023.

The top five spots on this year’s list are all Ontario cities.

Toronto once again tops the list. But Vancouver dropped from second to sixth place on this year’s ranking.

Sudbury rose to second place from third last year and Oshawa rose to third from fourth last year. Hamilton shot up to fourth place up from ten last year.

Winnipeg also cracked the top ten this year after placing eleventh in 2022, now ranking seventh across the country.

Here is the top 10 bed bug list from Orkin:

1. Toronto
2. Sudbury
3. Oshawa
4. Hamilton
5. Ottawa
6. Vancouver
7. Winnipeg
8. St. John’s
9. Sault Ste. Marie
10. Scarborough

As people return to normal life after pandemic lockdowns, bed bugs can more easily spread.

“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,” said 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.”

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.

Bed bugs can leave behind skins when they are molting and after feeding, bed bugs will regularly leave behind small spots of reddish-black fecal matter on bedding, mattress or box springs.

They will lay eggs in dark crevices near feeding areas.

Orkin Canada suggests calling a professional if you see signs of bed bugs. The company recently announced it also has a K9 team of detection dogs trained to locate bed bugs with incredible accuracy.

The complete list of Canada’s bed buggiest cities can be found here.

For more information on how to spot bed bugs, find information here or here.