Orkin released its annual Bed Bug Cities List on Tuesday, naming Chicago the U.S. metro area with the highest number of bed bug treatments for the fifth consecutive year.
The pest control company based its 2026 rankings on bed bug treatments conducted between May 12, 2025, and May 12, 2026. Los Angeles ranked second, followed by Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis.
The report identifies the 50 metro areas where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments during the reporting period.
Why Chicago Remains No. 1
According to Orkin, Chicago’s dense population, heavy tourist traffic and large number of multi-unit residential buildings continue to fuel infestations. These conditions allow bed bugs to spread more easily between apartments, hotels and other shared properties.
Ranking Shifts Reflect Changing Infestation Patterns
Several cities recorded significant movements in this year’s rankings. Nashville and Oklahoma City each climbed 10 places, while Hartford and Seattle moved up nine spots.
Knoxville recorded the largest decline, dropping 11 places. Youngstown and Omaha also fell in the rankings. Meanwhile, Tampa, Kansas City and Myrtle Beach entered the top 50 for the first time.
Orkin said changes in the rankings may be influenced by travel trends, treatment-resistant bed bug strains and increased public awareness.
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The company added that infestations occur in communities of all income levels and are not determined by sanitation standards or property maintenance.
Small Insects That Spread Quickly
Adult bed bugs measure about 3/16 of an inch, roughly the size of a sesame seed, while immature nymphs are even smaller.
Their flattened bodies allow them to hide inside mattress seams, furniture joints and narrow cracks.
The insects feed primarily at night by biting sleeping people and consuming blood. A single female can lay between one and five eggs each day, producing as many as 500 eggs over her lifetime. Bed bugs can also survive for several months without feeding.
Warmer summer temperatures accelerate their breeding cycle, while peak travel season increases opportunities for the pests to spread by hitching rides in luggage, clothing and personal belongings.
Health Effects of Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites commonly leave itchy red welts. In some cases, people may experience allergic reactions or develop secondary skin infections from excessive scratching.
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Infestations can also cause disrupted sleep, anxiety and psychological distress, particularly when they become widespread.
Difficult to Eliminate
Once bed bugs become established inside a home, they are notoriously difficult to eradicate. Their ability to hide in tiny spaces and their resistance to many household treatments often make professional pest control necessary.
Orkin noted that its annual list reflects the number of bed bug treatments performed rather than the actual number of infestations, providing an indication of where control efforts are most active.
The report comes as summer travel reaches its peak across the United States. Increased movement between cities, hotels and vacation rentals, combined with warmer weather, creates favorable conditions for bed bugs to spread.
Orkin urged homeowners and property managers to monitor for early signs of infestation and respond quickly, noting that delayed treatment often leads to larger outbreaks and higher control costs.
