Chicago once again takes top spot on Orkin’s Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List

Chicago, Ill., takes the top spot as one of the worst cities for bed bugs for Orkin’s Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List for the fifth year in a row.

Hartford, Conn., made the biggest leap on this year’s list, debuting at No. 35 after jumping 48 spots to land a spot on the Top 50. In contrast, Charlotte, N.C.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and New York, N.Y., all saw significant drops.

This year’s rankings are based on treatment data from metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from May 15, 2024 – May 14, 2025. The list includes both residential bed bug control and commercial bed bug treatments.

Check out the full list of the Top 50 Bed Bug Cities:

1. Chicago, Ill.
2. Cleveland, Ohio
3. Detroit, Mich.
4. Los Angeles, Calif.
5. Indianapolis, Ind.
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Grand Rapids, Mich.
8. Columbus, Ohio
9. Champaign, Ill.
10. Milwaukee, Wis.
11. Baltimore, Md.
12. Pittsburgh, Pa.
13. Cincinnati, Ohio
14. Denver, Colo.
15. New York, N.Y.
16. Flint, Mich.
17. Atlanta, Ga.
18. St. Louis, Mo.
19. Charleston, W. Va.
20. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
21. Davenport, Iowa
22. Youngstown, Ohio
23. Raleigh, N.C.
24. Dallas, Texas
25. Philadelphia, Pa.
26. Omaha, Neb.
27. South Bend, Ind.
28. Richmond, Va.
29. Knoxville, Tenn.
30. Greenville, S.C.
31. Norfolk, Va.
32. Charlotte, N.C.
33. Peoria, Ill.
34. Oklahoma City, Okla.
35. Hartford, Conn.
36. Toledo, Ohio
37. Buffalo, N.Y.
38. Fort Wayne, Ind.
39. Seattle, Wash.
40. Minneapolis, Minn.
41. Miami, Fla.
42. San Francisco, Calif.
43. Dayton, Ohio
44. Nashville, Tenn.
45. Houston, Texas
46. Las Vegas, Nev.
47. Boston, Mass.
48. Lansing, Mich.
49. San Diego, Calif.
50. Syracuse, N.Y.

Dr. Ben Hottel, BCE, is the technical services manager for the Rollins Support Center in Atlanta, Ga. Rollins is the parent company of Orkin Pest Control.

“Bed bugs are some of the most resilient pests in the world, making them extremely difficult to control if brought into a home or hotel,” said Dr. Hottel. “As summer travel picks up, it is critical that people know the best ways to identify, prevent and control these pests.”

Here are proactive tips Orkin recommends pest management professionals to tell homeowners to prevent bed bugs in homes and while traveling.

During travel, remember the acronym S.L.E.E.P. to inspect for bed bugs:

• Search the room for signs of infestation, looking for bed bugs, which are small, flat, oval-shaped insects that are brown and about the size of an apple seed. Other signs of bed bugs include ink-like stains on fabrics, shed exoskeletons around furniture and a sweet, musty smell.
• Lift sheets, curtains and cushions to check for bed bugs or signs of bed bugs.
• Elevate your luggage onto racks and keep it away from the bed or other furniture.
• Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and again when you return home.
• Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for 30 to 45 minutes at the highest heat setting upon returning home.

“What makes bed bugs especially challenging is their growing resistance to certain treatments, which is why early detection and proactive prevention are so critical,” added Dr. Hottel. “If there’s any sign of bed bugs, it’s important to involve a trained professional, like the Pros at Orkin, right away.”