Orkin’s 2025 Bed Bug Cities List shows Chicago topping the rankings

Orkin’s 2025 Bed Bug Cities List shows Chicago topping the rankings for the fifth consecutive year, maintaining its reputation as the most bed bug-infested city in the U.S. Hartford, Connecticut saw the most dramatic change, debuting at number 35 after leaping 48 spots, while other cities such as Peoria, Milwaukee, and Cedar Rapids also rose sharply. Meanwhile, traditional hot spots like New York, Philadelphia, and Charlotte dropped in the rankings, suggesting some progress in their fight against infestations. The list, based on treatment data between May 2024 and May 2025, reflects both residential and commercial bed bug control efforts.

Experts warn that summer travel could accelerate the spread of bed bugs, which are adept at hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, and personal belongings. Orkin emphasizes the importance of vigilance, recommending that travelers follow the S.L.E.E.P. protocol—Search, Lift, Elevate, Examine, and Place—to minimize the risk of bringing pests home. Although cities are making gains, bed bugs remain highly resilient, with growing resistance to certain treatments. This makes early detection and professional intervention essential to managing infestations effectively.

Here are the rankings. 

The list includes both residential bed bug control and commercial bed bug treatments.

1. Chicago

2. Cleveland (+2)

3. Detroit (+3)

4. Los Angeles (+1)

5. Indianapolis (+3)

6. Washington, D.C. (+1)

7. Grand Rapids, Mich. (+7)

8. Columbus, Ohio (+3)

9. Champaign, Ill. (+1)

10. Milwaukee (+15)

11. Baltimore (+5)

12. Pittsburgh (+9)

13. Cincinnati (-1)

14. Denver (+1)

15. New York (-13)

16. Flint, Mich. (+7)

17. Atlanta (-4)

18. St. Louis (+1)

19. Charleston, W. Va. (+7)

20. Cedar Rapids, Iowa (+19)

21. Davenport, Iowa (+8)

22. Youngstown, Ohio (-2)

23. Raleigh, N.C. (+1)

24. Dallas (-2)

25. Philadelphia (-22)

26. Omaha, Neb. (+10)

27. South Bend, Ind. (+10)

28. Richmond, Va. (-11)

29. Knoxville, Tenn. (+5)

30. Greenville, S.C. (-3)

31. Norfolk, Va. (-3)

32. Charlotte, N.C. (-23)

33. Peoria, Ill. (+18)

34. Oklahoma City, Okla. (+14)

35. Hartford, Conn. (+48)

36. Toledo, Ohio (-4)

37. Buffalo (+5)

38. Fort Wayne, Ind. (+2)

39. Seattle (+5)

40. Minneapolis (+7)

41. Miami (+1)

42. San Francisco (-1)

43. Dayton, Ohio (-10)

44. Nashville (-14)

45. Houston (-7)

46. Las Vegas (-11)

47. Boston (+10)

48. Lansing, Mich. (+4)

49. San Diego (+10)

50. Syracuse, N.Y. (+8)

Orkin's full article: https://www.orkin.com/press-room/worst-cities-for-bed-bugs-annual-rankings