Bed Bug Season Is Here, and These Cities Rank the Highest for Infestation

Bed bugs are a concern year-round, but they tend to spread rapidly from June through October due to warmer temperatures and increased travel. This year, Orkin, a pest control company, has released a report on the top bed bug-infested cities in the U.S., along with their tips for inspecting your own space and hotel rooms for bed bugs to stay safe.

Bed bugs are known to go unnoticed until it's too late, says Orkin. Taking proper precautions while traveling and performing routine checks at home is crucial for staying protected. Orkin recommends performing their routine check below when entering your temporary stay:

• Search the room for signs of infestation by looking for small, flat, oval-shaped bugs that are brown and about the size of an apple seed. Other key signs include ink-like stains on fabrics, shed exoskeletons around furniture, and a musty smell.
• When inspecting the room, lift sheets, curtains, and cushions to check for signs of bed bugs.
• Keep your luggage elevated on a rack instead of on the ground or fabric-covered furniture.
• Before repacking, carefully examine your luggage.
• Upon returning home, place dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer on high heat for 30 to 45 minutes.

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Top 20 Cities With Bed Bugs in 2025

This year's infestation rankings are based on data from U.S. metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments for customers from May 15, 2024, to May 14, 2025. The rankings include both residential and commercial bed bug control treatments.

1. Chicago, Illinois
2. Cleveland, Ohio
3. Detroit, Michigan
4. Los Angeles, California
5. Indianapolis, Indiana
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Grand Rapids, Michigan
8. Columbus, Ohio
9. Champaign, Illinois
10. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
11. Baltimore, Maryland
12. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
13. Cincinnati, Ohio
14. Denver, Colorado
15. New York, New York
16. Flint, Michigan
17. Atlanta, Georgia
18. St. Louis, Missouri
19. Charleston, West Virginia
20. Cedar Rapids, Iowa

If you think you have spotted signs of bed bugs, call your pest control company immediately or, if you're staying at a hotel, notify management. According to Orkin, bed bugs have a growing resistance to certain treatments, so early detection and prevention are essential.