Chicago has once again been named the city with the highest bedbug activity in the United States, according to the 2026 Bed Bug Cities List released by Orkin, a national pest control company. The Windy City has now held the top spot for the sixth consecutive year, underscoring a persistent problem in one of America's most visited urban centers.
The rankings are based on the number of bedbug treatments Orkin performed in metropolitan areas between May 2025 and May 12, 2026, covering both residential and commercial properties. Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland, and Indianapolis rounded out the top five cities on the list, reflecting ongoing challenges in major urban areas across the country.
Bedbugs are small, blood-feeding insects that typically live near humans or animals, favoring places where people sleep or rest, such as beds, couches, and nearby furniture. Their bites can cause itchy skin irritation and, in some cases, allergic reactions. The insects are notoriously difficult to eradicate and can spread quickly through luggage, clothing, and used furniture.
Orkin noted that many cities with high bedbug activity are also popular travel destinations expected to welcome large numbers of visitors for major concerts, festivals, and sporting events throughout the summer and beyond. This overlap between infestation hotspots and tourist hubs raises concerns for travelers planning vacations in the coming months.
Several cities experienced notable changes in the rankings this year. Nashville, Tennessee, and Oklahoma City each climbed 10 spots, indicating increased bedbug activity. Meanwhile, Youngstown, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska; and Knoxville, Tennessee, recorded some of the largest declines, suggesting improved pest control efforts or reduced infestations in those areas.
According to Orkin, these year-over-year changes highlight the persistent and evolving nature of bedbug activity across the nation. The company emphasized that bedbugs remain a widespread problem that requires ongoing vigilance from both residents and travelers.
A separate report released earlier this summer by casino.ca ranked Michigan as the state with the highest estimated risk of encountering bedbugs, followed by Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Hawaii and Oregon ranked lowest on that list. The casino.ca analysis combined bedbug data from Orkin and Terminix with TripAdvisor hotel reviews, treatment records, and social-media posts to estimate travelers' risk of encountering the pests.
At the city level, the casino.ca report identified Warren, Michigan, as the top U.S. city for bedbug risk, with North Las Vegas, Nevada, and Madison, Wisconsin, also ranking among the biggest hotspots. These findings align with broader trends showing that bedbug problems are concentrated in densely populated areas but can affect any location.
Experts caution, however, that such rankings should be interpreted with care. Zachary DeVries, associate professor of urban entomology at the University of Kentucky, previously told Fox News Digital that the main problem with these lists is that they can make it seem like urban areas have all the bedbug problems. He noted that recent work and anecdotal reports show bedbugs can appear anywhere, including suburban and rural areas.
DeVries added that while people in urban areas are more packed together and thus more likely to encounter bedbugs, those living in rural areas may have less access to good pest control services and may find it more difficult to eliminate infestations once they occur. This disparity highlights the need for broader awareness and accessible treatment options across all regions.
Dini Miller, professor of urban pest management at Virginia Tech, told Fox News Digital that places tend to get attention for bedbugs when people are visiting and looking for them. She emphasized that travelers should remain vigilant regardless of their destination.
Experts recommend several precautions for travelers to reduce the risk of bringing bedbugs home. These include inspecting mattress seams, upholstered furniture, and behind headboards for signs of bedbugs while staying in hotels or other accommodations. Using a sticky lint roller on clothing, upholstery, and the bottoms of shoes can help detect hitchhiking bedbugs before they are brought into a home.
Bedbug infestations can be costly and time-consuming to treat, often requiring professional extermination services. Early detection is key to preventing a small problem from becoming a major infestation. Travelers are advised to keep luggage off the floor and away from beds, and to wash and dry clothing on high heat after returning from a trip.
The persistence of bedbug activity in major cities like Chicago underscores the ongoing challenge these pests pose to public health and the travel industry. As summer travel season approaches, both residents and visitors are encouraged to stay informed and take preventive measures to protect themselves from unwanted encounters.
