While bed bugs have grown versatile enough to thrive in almost any location, many properties in St. Petersburg suffer because so many homes were built during the post-war rush. From the 1940s to the 1960s, St. Petersburg saw a huge boom in its housing district, with over 43% of homes built in that timeframe. While new homes are still susceptible to bed bugs, older homes can be even more so.
Of course, St. Petersburg is one of many Florida cities with this particular problem. Many cities in Pinellas County and beyond have bed bug problems –it is a nationwide, even global, issue. Nearby towns like Clearwater and Tampa also suffer significantly from this issue. Why does Florida, in particular, suffer? Bed bugs are drawn to hot, humid locations –ironic, given that heat treatment is so effective!
Still, bed bugs love this weather and will reside here in massive numbers. As we all know, cities across Florida – from St. Petersburg to Palmetto, Largo to Seminole, and far beyond – are major tourist hotspots. People come to Florida to make the most of that amazing climate, especially in the warmest months. This means they often bring bed bugs back to their cities and states.
Given that St. Petersburg can enjoy an average of 361 days of sunshine annually, it is no surprise that people come here. The city’s location, on the Gulf of Mexico, allows for stunning weather of 76°F on average. So, St. Petersburg, in particular – and its surrounding cities – are ripe for bed bugs!
Only 10% of homes in the St. Petersburg area were built between 2000 and the modern day. Therefore, ensuring your property can be saved from bed bugs makes sense. Bed bugs are found in almost every country, but they tend to be most commonly seen in homes with cracks in the walls and baseboards and between properties. Therefore, St. Petersburg can be a hotbed for bed bugs.
It is not just St. Petersburg that has a bed bug problem; just 3% of pest control companies in the USA have dealt with bed bugs at least once in the last year.