New Jersey is Surrounded By Beg Bugs — How to Spot Them

They're creepy, they're crawly, they're microscopic, and they're sweet on your skin. Bed bugs are gross and new research shows New Jersey is surrounded by them.

The red/dark brown nocturnal insects come out at night to feast on your live and dead skin cells. Ew. Their primary food source is blood. Yours!

Worst of all, they're so hard to spot.

Orkin, the pest/termite control and prevention people, recently conducted a year-long study to determine the Top 50 Bed Bug Cities in America.

The list is based on data from metro cities where Orkin exterminated bed bugs in both residential and commercial spaces.

Unfortunately, you might want to think twice the next time you're planning a sleepover at a hotel, motel, or home rental in Philadelphia.

According to Orkin, Philly is the third most infested bed bug city in the U.S., bested only by New York City (#2) and Chicago (#1).

Nearby Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington D.C. land at #8 and #9 on the list.

Orkin calls bed bugs 'resilient' and 'hard to control' but visible if you look very closely. Sometimes on sheets and pillowcases, you'll see tiny little brown and red spots. That's a sign bed bugs may be calling your sleeping spot home.

During the day, bed bugs can reportedly hide on mattress tags, on baseboards, and even on picture frames and electrical outlets.

Reducing clutter around your home, especially in your bedroom, can keep bed bugs at bay. Also, if you're buying furniture second-hand, examine it closely. And when traveling, try not to put your suitcase on the floor. Use a luggage rack or other hard surface so you don't bring the bed bugs home with you.