Don't let the bed bugs bite! Orkin lists worst cities for bed bugs

Summer vacations are in full swing, but travelers heading to some of the nation's busiest destinations may want to pack an extra dose of caution.

Orkin's 2026 Bed Bug Cities List has been released ranking the U.S. cities with the highest rate of bed bug infestations, marking another year for the pest control company's annual rankings.

Orkin said increased travel and high turnover at hotels, apartments and other accommodations can create more opportunities for bed bugs to spread by hitchhiking on luggage and personal belongings.

Before you pack your bags, here are the cities that made the list.

Which cities ranked highest for bed bugs?

Orkin's rankings are based on residential and commercial bed bug treatments performed between May 12, 2025, and May 12, 2026.

The 50 cities ranked are:

• No. 1 - Chicago (the sixth consecutive year Chicago has had the highest ranking)
• No. 2 - Los Angeles
• No. 3 - Detroit
• No. 4 - Cleveland
• No. 5 - Indianapolis
• No. 6 - Springfield, Illinois
• No. 7 - Washington, DC
• No. 8 - Columbus, Ohio
• No. 9 - Pittsburgh
• No. 10 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
• No. 11 - Denver
• No. 12 - New York City
• No. 13 - Milwaukee
• No. 14 - Baltimore
• No. 15 - Cincinnati
• No. 16 - Raleigh, North Carolina
• No. 17 - St. Louis
• No. 18 - Charleston, West Virginia
• No. 19 - Davenport, Iowa
• No. 20 - Flint, Michigan
• No. 21 - Atlanta
• No. 22 - Philadelphia
• No. 23 - Dallas
• No. 24 - Oklahoma City
• No. 25 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• No. 26 - Hartford, Connecticut
• No. 27 - Charlotte, North Carolina
• No. 28 - Peoria, Illinois
• No. 29 - South Bend, Indiana
• No. 30 - Seattle
• No. 31 - Richmond, Virginia
• No. 32 - Youngstown, Ohio
• No. 33 - Greenville, South Carolina
• No. 34 - Nashville
• No. 25 - Buffalo, New York
• No. 26 - Omaha, Nebraska
• No. 37 - San Francisco
• No. 38 - Dayton, Ohio
• No. 39 - Norfolk, Virginia
• No. 40 - Knoxville, Tennessee
• No. 41 - San Diego
• No. 42 - Toledo, Ohio
• No. 43 - Las Vegas
• No. 44 - Syracuse, New York
• No. 45 - Fort Wayne, Indiana
• No. 46 - Tampa, Florida
• No. 47 - Miami
• No. 48 - Minneapolis
• No. 49 - Kansas City, Missouri
• No. 50 - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Several popular vacation destinations climbed the rankings or made their debut in the top 50, including Tampa, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Ohio was the most heavily represented state on the list, with six cities appearing in the top 50, including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Youngstown, Dayton and Toledo.

Among the biggest movers in the rankings, Nashville and Oklahoma City each climbed 10 spots, while Tampa, Kansas City and Myrtle Beach entered the top 50 for the first time.

States with the highest bed bug risks

Orkin's report comes as another recent analysis suggests travelers may be more likely to encounter bed bugs in some states than others.

A recent USA TODAY report, citing a Casino.ca analysis, found Michigan had the nation's highest estimated risk of bed bugs for travelers, followed by Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, New York and Washington, DC

Researchers compared bed bug rankings from Orkin and Terminix with social media posts and TripAdvisor hotel reviews in each state's three largest cities. They concluded that popular tourist destinations often carry greater risk because of high visitor turnover, not because hotels are necessarily less clean or well maintained.

How travelers can avoid bringing bed bugs home

"Travel season brings excitement, but it also makes awareness especially important," said Dr. Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist and national technical director.

Orkin recommends inspecting hotel rooms before unpacking by checking mattresses and furniture for live bugs, shed skins, tiny eggs or dark, ink-like stains. Travelers should also keep luggage on elevated racks away from beds, inspect bags before returning home and place dryer-safe clothing in a high-heat dryer for 30 to 45 minutes after traveling.

Sked said bed bugs rarely disappear on their own, making early detection and prompt professional treatment the best way to prevent infestations from spreading.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don't let the bed bugs bite! Orkin lists worst cities for bed bugs

Reporting by Anthony Thompson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 3:42 AM.