Sault one of Canada’s top 10 ‘bed buggiest’ cities

Warning: this story will make you feel itchy.

Orkin Canada, the country’s largest pest control company, has released its annual list of the 25 worst cities for bed bugs — and Sault Ste. Marie cracked the top 10, crawling in at ninth.

The good news? We were seventh last year, so this is a slight improvement.

Toronto topped the ranking for the seventh consecutive year. Sudbury placed second and Timmins came in at 15th.

As studies go, this one is hardly the stuff of scientific journals. The ranking is based solely on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments performed by Orkin Canada in 2023 — so today’s report is essentially an ad for the company.

But bed bugs have been big news lately, which means it’s never a bad time to remind you to be on the lookout.

“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, in a news release announcing the results. 

“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.”

You can view the full report HERE.