As summer has arrived in the US, so have bed bug infestations.
The bugs pierce the skin and leave behind itchy red welts that can trigger allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from excessive scratching, sleepless nights and significant psychological distress.
Chicago claimed the unwanted top spot for the fifth consecutive year, thanks to its dense population, heavy tourist traffic and abundance of multi-unit buildings that allow infestations to spread more easily, according to Orkin’s list.
Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis rounded out the top five.
The rankings are based on metro areas where the pest control company performed the most bed bug treatments in the year since May 12, 2025.
Several cities saw notable shifts, with Nashville and Oklahoma City each climbing ten spots, while Youngstown, Omaha and Knoxville posted some of the biggest declines.
The changes underscore how quickly bed bug infestations can spread and shift, even as the pests continue to plague communities across the country.
The insects pierce the skin to feed on blood, leaving behind itchy red welts that can trigger allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from excessive scratching, sleepless nights and significant psychological distress
Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to detect because they are tiny.
Adults measure just 3/16 inch long, about the size of a sesame seed, while immature nymphs are even smaller, and their flattened bodies allow them to hide in hard-to-spot locations.
Primarily nocturnal, these blood-feeding pests often target sleeping humans and can easily spread by hitchhiking on luggage, purses and other personal belongings.
They thrive in the summer because warmer temperatures speed up their life cycle, causing them to breed faster.
More importantly, summer is also peak travel season. When you stay in hotels or ride on planes, these tiny bugs easily hitch a ride on your luggage and travel back home with you
Dr Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist and national technical director, said: ‘Bed bugs are resilient pests that can be difficult to control once introduced into a home or hotel room, and they are skilled at hiding in cracks, crevices and personal belongings.
‘A quick inspection of hotels or short-term rentals while traveling, or belongings before unpacking at home, can help travelers reduce the chance of bringing bed bugs home.’
Several cities made dramatic moves in this year’s rankings, with Nashville and Oklahoma City each climbing ten places, while Hartford and Seattle jumped nine spots. Knoxville recorded the biggest drop, falling 11 places.
Chicago claimed the unwanted top spot for the fifth consecutive year, thanks to its dense population, heavy tourist traffic and abundance of multi-unit buildings that allow infestations to spread more easily
Tampa, Kansas City and Myrtle Beach all entered the top 50 of the Bed Bug Cities List for the first time.
‘Changes in the rankings can be influenced by a variety of factors such as travel trends, treatment-resistant strains and educational campaigns to the public,’ said Sked.
‘Still, one thing remains constant: bed bugs continue to be a concern in communities across the US, regardless of socioeconomic demographics, sanitation facilities or maintenance levels.’
Not only can they hide, but an infestation can get out of hand quite quickly: female bed bugs can lay one to five eggs per day and are capable of producing 200 to 500 eggs over their lifetime.
Worse, the insect can lie dormant, unfed, for several months in wait for their next meal of blood.
