Chicago has been identified as the U.S. city with the most bedbug infestations per capita, according to a 2026 report by pest control company Orkin. The city's dense housing, high resident and traveler turnover, and warm summer temperatures are cited as contributing factors to the prevalence of the pests.
Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland, and Indianapolis rounded out the top five cities on Orkin's "2026 Bed Bug Cities List." The Midwest region was noted as the most affected area in the country, with Ohio featuring prominently, having six cities in the top 50, including Cleveland and Columbus within the top 10.
Newcomers to the top 50 list for bedbug outbreaks include Kansas City, Tampa, and Myrtle Beach, highlighting the ongoing need for pest preparedness.
Dr. Shannon Sked, an entomologist and national technical director at Orkin, noted that travel season can increase the risk of encountering bedbugs. "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," Sked stated. He recommended inspecting hotel rooms or short-term rental accommodations before unpacking belongings and checking personal items upon returning home.
Adult bedbugs measure approximately 3/16 inches long, with nymphs being even smaller, making them difficult to detect. These pests thrive in warm environments and can easily evade visual detection. Itchiness and red welts on the skin are common signs of infestation, appearing after bedbugs pierce the skin to feed on blood. Bedbugs are known to hitchhike on luggage, facilitating their spread.
Sked suggested that factors influencing a city's ranking can include evolving travel trends, the development of treatment-resistant bedbug strains, and public awareness campaigns.