If there’s one travel souvenir nobody wants to bring home, it’s bed bugs.
These tiny hitchhikers can hide in mattresses, upholstered furniture, luggage, clothing and even tiny cracks in hotel rooms, making them one of travelers’ biggest nightmares.
Every year, pest control company Orkin releases its ranking of the U.S. cities where it performed the most bed bug treatments. And once again, the same city has claimed the top spot.
In fact, it’s now been America’s No. 1 bed bug city for six straight years.
Bed bugs. Even hearing the words is enough to make many travelers cringe.
These tiny, brown insects have been bothering humans for more than 3,500 years and are experts at hiding. Mattresses are the obvious place to look, but they can also be found in upholstered furniture, behind baseboards and picture frames, inside electrical outlets, on luggage, purses and backpacks, and just about anywhere with a small crack or crevice. Their bites often leave itchy red welts—and they can be incredibly difficult to eliminate once they hitch a ride home.
Since at least 2014, Orkin, one of the largest nationwide pest control companies in the country, has put out an annual list of the 50 cities in the U.S. that have the most bed bugs. The list is based on data from the metro areas where Orkin has performed the most bed bug treatments in the most recent year.
Their list for 2026 was recently revealed and the city of Chicago has now been #1 on the list for the 6th year in a row.
Way to go, Chicago!
Los Angeles was in the #2 spot on the list (last year they were at #4), while Detroit takes home the unfortunate bronze medal for bedbugs, in the #3 slot. They were at #3 last year, as well.
Rounding out the Top Five are Cleveland at #4 (they were at #2 last year) and Indianapolis in the 5th position (same spot they were last year).
Here’s their list for 2026, which is based on treatment data (both residential and commercial) from metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from May 12, 2025 – May 12, 2026:
- Chicago
- Los Angeles (+2)
- Detroit
- Cleveland, Ohio (-2)
- Indianapolis
- Springfield, Ill. (+3)
- Washington, D.C. (-1)
- Columbus, Ohio
- Pittsburgh (+3)
- Grand Rapids, Mich. (-3)
- Denver (+3)
- New York (+3)
- Milwaukee (-3)
- Baltimore (-3)
- Cincinnati (-2)
- Raleigh, N.C. (+7)
- St. Louis (+1)
- Charleston, W. Va. (+1)
- Davenport, Iowa (+2)
- Flint, Mich. (-4)
- Atlanta (-4)
- Philadelphia (+3)
- Dallas (+1)
- Oklahoma City, Okla. (+10)
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa (-5)
- Hartford, Conn. (+9)
- Charlotte, N.C. (+5)
- Peoria, Ill. (+5)
- South Bend, Ind. (-2)
- Seattle (+9)
- Richmond, Va. (-3)
- Youngstown, Ohio (-10)
- Greenville, S.C. (-3)
- Nashville (+10)
- Buffalo (+2)
- Omaha, Neb. (-10)
- San Francisco (+5)
- Dayton, Ohio (+5)
- Norfolk, Va. (-8)
- Knoxville, Tenn. (-11)
- San Diego (+8)
- Toledo, Ohio (-6)
- Las Vegas (+3)
- Syracuse, N.Y. (+6)
- Fort Wayne, Ind. (-7)
- Tampa, Fla. (new to top 50)
- Miami (-6)
- Minneapolis (-8)
- Kansas City, Mo. (new to top 50)
- Myrtle Beach, S.C. (new to top 50)
Although the rankings shift from year to year, one city has clearly established an unwanted dynasty.
“Changes in the rankings can be influenced by a variety of factors such as travel trends, treatment resistance strains and educational campaigns to the public. Still, one thing remains constant: bed bugs continue to be a concern in communities across the United States, regardless of socioeconomic demographics, sanitation facilities maintenance levels. Because infestations rarely resolve on their own, addressing signs of bed bugs early can help limit their spread and make treatment more effective,” said Dr. Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist and National Technical Director.
How to avoid bringing bedbugs home
No one wants to be subject to bedbugs, nor do they want to bring them home. Fortunately, there are a few simple precautions that can dramatically reduce the chances of bringing these unwanted hitchhikers home with you. Here’s how to inspect for the little critters when you get to your hotel room.
The good news is that making Orkin’s list doesn’t necessarily mean a city is crawling with bed bugs. The rankings are based on where the company performed the most treatments—not on the percentage of hotels or homes that are infested.
Still, bed bugs don’t care whether you’re staying at a luxury hotel, a roadside motel or a vacation rental. If they find a way into your luggage, they’ll happily travel home with you.
That’s why it’s worth taking a minute or two to inspect your room before unpacking—and another minute to check your suitcase before bringing it back into your house.
It’s a small investment of time that could save you from a very expensive—and very itchy—problem later.
More info can be found on this page of Orkin’s website.
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