Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis round out the top five spots on Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List
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NEED TO KNOW
- Chicago topped Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List for the sixth consecutive year based on infestation treatment data
- Travel season increases bed bug risks as the insects can hitchhike on luggage or personal belongings
- Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis round out the top five cities with the most bed bug treatments
Chicago might be famous for its deep-dish pizza and towering skyline, but the Windy City holds one title it may not want to advertise.
For the sixth consecutive year, Chicago held its position as the city with the highest rate of bed bug infestations in the nation, according to Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List. The pest control company based its annual ranking on data from metro areas with the most bed bug treatments between May 12, 2025 and May 12, 2026. The study included both residential and commercial treatments.
The July 7 report was released during the summer travel season. Orkin said many of the cities where bed bug activity has been the worst are also some of the country’s most popular travel destinations. As travelers pass through hotels and other accommodations, bed bugs can “hitchhike” home in luggage or other personal belongings, providing the risk of bringing them home.
Credit: Getty
Chicago saw 56.8 million tourists in 2025, according to Choose Chicago, the local tourism authority. It marked a nearly 1.5 million increase in visitors from the previous year. Regular conventions, sporting events and festivals are major drivers of local tourism — especially the annual Lollapalooza music festival.
Dr. Shannon Sked, an Orkin entomologist and national technical director, said travel season makes bed bug awareness important. The expert recommended that travelers do a quick inspection of hotels or short-term rentals, and their belongings before unpacking at home to reduce the chance of transporting the insect.
Credit: Getty
The company recommends using the S.L.E.E.P. method to inspect for bed bugs: Search the room for signs of infestation; Lift sheets, curtains and cushions; Elevate luggage onto racks and away from furniture; Examine luggage carefully while repacking and Place all dryer-safe clothing in the dryer for 30 to 45 minutes at the highest heat setting upon return home.
Trailing behind Chicago on the list this year is Los Angeles at No. 2, which moved up two spots from 2025. Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis round out the top five cities that required the most bed bug treatments.
Orkin noted Ohio is the most represented state on this year’s list with six cities in the top 50. It comes amid a broader trend of Midwestern cities appearing among the nation’s bed bug hotspots.
Oklahoma City and Nashville each jumped 10 spots on the list. Meanwhile, Youngstown, Ohio; Omaha, Neb. and Knoxville, Tenn. saw the largest declines.
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“Changes in the rankings can be influenced by a variety of factors such as travel trends, treatment resistance stains and educational campaigns to the public,” Sked said. “Because infestations rarely resolve on their own, addressing signs of bed bugs early can help limit their spread and make treatment more effective.”
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