Three North Carolina Cities Have Some Of The Most Bedbugs In The Country

You know the old expression, "sleep tight; don't let the bedbugs bite?" Well, for some places that's less of a friendly colloquialism and more of a warning. The pest control company Orkin just released a list of the top 50 cities with the worst issues with bedbugs, three of which were in North Carolina.

Orkin used data involving cities with the most bed bug treatments from December 2022 to November 2023.

The first city in North Carolina to make the list (seen in full here) is Charlotte, with the Queen City ranked 9th overall for most bedbugs. This is a 5-point increase from last year for Charlotte, meaning their bedbug problem has only gotten worse.

Further down the list is Greensboro, ranked number 18. Greensboro was ranked 43rd this time last year, which begs the question: does Guilford County have some sheet-washing ban in place that I'm not aware of?

The final North Carolina city on the list is Raleigh (technically Raleigh-Durham), ranked 24th overall. Raleigh is the only North Carolina city on this list to actually improve its bedbug situation, moving from 20th place this time last year.

This is certainly not a great showing for my home state, and to be honest it's got me wanting to pressure-wash my whole bed when I get home. But the bedbug problem is even worse in Chicago, which ranks number 1 on the list for the fourth year in a row.

Orkin is also encouraging people to learn how to detect bedbugs, especially in unfamiliar environments like hotels and Airbnb bookings. In addition to checking your mattress and box spring, it's also recommended that you examine cracks behind wall outlets, molding and carpet.

And if you ever stay overnight in Charlotte, Greensboro or Raleigh, it might behoove you to bring your own protective bubble just to be extra safe.

It's never too early to start planning an exciting winter getaway, especially since the most popular winter vacation spots get booked up quickly. The good news, though, is that most people take vacations in the summer, so traveling in the winter can be a bit more relaxing. You are also able to usually find better travel rates during the winter season, except during the holidays. If you don't have to travel during the holidays, just don't, because it's a mess. So, what are the best winter getaways in the U.S.? North Carolina has one of them.

I've researched some of the most popular winter vacation destinations in hopes of finding the perfect spot. The following list includes not just sunny, warm getaways, but also some areas that people who love snow can enjoy. Honestly, many people who live in a warm climate like to flock to a snowy location for a bit during the winter to get that seasonal experience, even if that seems counter intuitive. Of course, those who live in the northern parts of America love to go to a warm spot and get away from their daily lives filled with snow and ice.

I'm a Michigan girl, so I'm very familiar with the cold and ice in the winter. Not that I like it. Each year, I say I'm going to escape, even if it's just for a few days, to a warmer location. But, I never do. Maybe this year will be different. Looking at vacation rates, it's fairly easy to find some good deals, again, if it's not during the holiday travel season. Read on for some of the bets winter getaways in the U.S., based on my research. What's your favorite winter vacation spot? Reach out to me on social media here and let me know. Have a fantastic winter, and stay warm.

If you're looking for a mild getaway, Savannah, Georgia, is a great choice. It's pretty mild in the winter, so not too cold or too hot. The Historic District is a popular winter vacation spot, too.

https://visitsavannah.com/

The beautiful area of Asheville, North Carolina, has plenty of gorgeous snowfall, and it's less dangerous than many other areas with snowfall. Lately, Asheville has one up in population, but it's still a popular tourist destination. One choice spot is the French Broad River, with lots of winter activities, breweries and restaurants.

https://www.exploreasheville.com/

If you want to enjoy a winter vacation and learn about history, Philadelphia is a great vacation spot. Sure, it's won't be like sunny Florida. But, Philly has lots of great museums and historical spots to enjoy indoors, while staying toasty.

https://www.visitphilly.com/

I know what you're thinking. Why go to Michigan in the winter? Well, if you love snow, then it's worth the trip. Traverse City, Michigan, is a quaint town, but it's big enough to have lots of things to do and places to stay. It's also cold in the winter but not as cold as, say the Dakotas.

https://www.traversecity.com/

If you want to get away from the snow and ice, go to Key West, Florida. It's considered one of the finest tropical spots in the U.S. during the winter months. Soak up the sun and have a margarita, because why not?

https://keywest.com/