Study: Bay Area one of the most bed bug-infested spots in the nation

Ick, click ahead to see the top-20 cities for bed bugs in the nation. If you can stomach it. Ick, click ahead to see the top-20 cities for bed bugs in the nation. If you can stomach it. Photo: Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press Photo: Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Study: Bay Area one of the most bed bug-infested spots in the nation 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

If you suddenly felt itchy all over, it's probably not bed bugs ... but the probability it is remains higher here than in most places in the country.

According to pest control company Orkin's annual study, the Bay Area ranks 10th on their list of 'Bed Bug Cities.' That's up four spots from last year.

The list is created using data from all of Orkin's bed bug treatment calls from Dec. 2015 to Nov. 2016. Both residential and commercial calls are included in the study.

The Bay Area shouldn't feel singled out, though. Orkin reports that bed bug infestations are on the rise everywhere in the nation.

"We have more people affected by bed bugs in the United States now than ever before," Orkin Entomologist and Director of Technical Services Ron Harrison said in a press release. "They were virtually unheard of in the US 10 years ago."

According to the EPA, the recent upswing in bed bug reports is likely due to increased travel, low awareness of how to prevent infestations and pesticide resistance on the part of the bugs. The bright side is that bed bugs don't spread disease — although their itchy bites are extremely aggravating.

The EPA provides guidelines on identifying and preventing bed bug breakouts. For a full list of Orkin's 'Bed Bug Cities,' check out the gallery above.