Well, that’s one unwelcome arrival.
Chicago landed at the top of an unfortunate ranking of U.S. cities with the highest bedbug infestations per capita, as the Windy City’s packed housing, frequent movement of residents and visitors, and warm summer weather once again created ideal conditions for the bloodsucking pests to thrive.
Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis completed the top five on pest control company Orkin’s “2026 Bed Bug Cities List.”
“Travel season brings excitement, but it also makes awareness especially important,” said Dr. Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist and national technical director.
“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.”
The Midwest was identified as the nation’s most bedbug-plagued region, while Ohio had the strongest presence on this year’s ranking, with six cities in the top 50 — including Cleveland and Columbus in the top 10.
Kansas City, Tampa and Myrtle Beach also climbed into the top 50 worst cities for bedbug activity, new additions that Orkin said underscore the need to stay prepared for pest problems.
Sked advised travelers to quickly check hotel rooms or short-term rentals for signs of bedbugs and to inspect luggage and belongings before unpacking once they return home.
Bedbugs measure only 3/16 inches long as adults and are even smaller as nymphs, making them near-impossible to spot.
Most people don’t notice the pests until itchy, red welts appear on their arms and legs.
Bedbugs pierce human skin to feed on blood, and often target humans by easily hitchhiking on luggage.
Sked said that a city becoming worse for bedbugs is “influenced by a variety of factors such as travel trends, treatment resistance strains and educational campaigns to the public.”
