OHIO — A study released from the pest control company Orkin shows six Ohio cities have the worst case of bedbugs. 

The study ranked the 50 cities based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin has the most bedbug treatments between Dec. 1, 2022 to Nov. 30, 2023.

Out of the list, here's how these Ohio cities ranked: 

• Cleveland-Akron (No. 4)
• Columbus (No. 11)
• Cincinnati (No. 12)
• Youngstown (No. 20)
• Toledo (No. 32)
• Dayton (No. 33)

Ranking in the top three are Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. 

“Bedbugs are extremely resilient, making them difficult to control. As travel plans ramp up, it’s important that Americans know how to protect themselves through pest identification and proper control,” said Ben Hottel, a Orkin entomologist, in a press release. “While bedbugs are visible to the naked eye, they are excellent at hiding. Involving a trained professional at the sight of a bedbug introduction is recommended.”

Here's how Orkin recommended individuals protect themselves and their homes from bedbugs:

• Inspect the home for signs of bedbugs frequently by checking areas where they may hide, including mattress tags, mattress seams, behind baseboards, headboards, electrical outlets and picture frames. 
• Decrease clutter in the home to help make it easier to spot bedbugs
• Examine secondhand furniture well before bringing it inside your home

Orkin recommends travelers follow the advice of the S.L.E.E.P. acronym:

• Survey hotel rooms for signs of infestation by looking for tiny, ink-colored stains on mattress seams, in soft furniture and behind headboards
• Lift and look for their hiding spots, including the mattress, box spring and other future
• Elevate your luggage away from the bed and wall, the safest places being the bathroom or on counters
• Examine luggage carefully before you repack and once you return home (always store luggage away from the bed)
• Place all dryer-safe clothing that was in your luggage into the dryer for at least 30 to 45 minutes on the highest setting