Battling the Hidden Invaders of Urban America: A Deep Dive into Orkin’s Bedbug Report

Urban living conjures images of crowded streets, bustling sidewalks, and the constant hum of city life. However, beneath this vibrant exterior lurks an unseen challenge that affects countless metropolitan dwellers: bedbugs. These tiny, resilient pests have become increasingly problematic in cities across America, prompting pest control giant Orkin to release its comprehensive annual bedbug report. This eye-opening study, based on both commercial and residential treatment data from metro areas between May 2024 and May 2025, reveals which American cities are grappling with the most severe infestations. According to Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist based in Atlanta, understanding how to identify, prevent, and control these pests is absolutely critical for urban residents. “Bedbugs are some of the most resilient pests in the world,” Hottel explains, “making them extremely difficult to control if brought into a home or hotel.” These small invaders, measuring approximately 3/16 inches long, have a particular preference for human hosts rather than pets and possess an alarming ability to travel from place to place by clinging to luggage, purses, and other personal belongings.

The report’s findings might surprise many Americans, with Chicago claiming the dubious honor of being the most bedbug-infested city for the fifth consecutive year. This persistent problem in the Windy City suggests that despite awareness and treatment efforts, bedbugs continue to thrive in this densely populated urban environment. Cleveland, Ohio secured the second position in this unwanted ranking, followed by Detroit, Michigan in third place. Los Angeles, California—a city known more for its glamour than its pests—took fourth place, while Indianapolis, Indiana rounded out the top five most affected metropolitan areas. These rankings not only highlight which cities are most severely impacted but also indicate where public awareness and prevention efforts might need strengthening. The geographical spread of these top-ranking cities—spanning the Midwest, East Coast, and West Coast—demonstrates that bedbug infestations are truly a national concern rather than a regional issue.

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the report involves the cities experiencing rapid increases in bedbug activity. Hartford, Connecticut received special mention for making an unprecedented jump of 48 positions to debut at number 35 on the list. This dramatic rise indicates a significant and concerning increase in bedbug activity within a relatively short timeframe. Such sudden jumps serve as a sobering reminder that bedbug populations can explode quickly under the right conditions, turning a minor nuisance into a major infestation within months. While some cities witnessed worsening conditions, others showed improvements. Charlotte, North Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and New York City all experienced significant drops in their rankings compared to previous years. These positive trends suggest that concentrated prevention efforts, public education campaigns, and professional pest management can make substantial differences in controlling bedbug populations. At the bottom of the list of 50 cities, Houston, Texas claimed the position of least infested major metropolitan area—a distinction that residents and hospitality businesses in the Texan city will undoubtedly celebrate.

The resilient nature of bedbugs makes them particularly challenging to eradicate once they’ve established themselves in a home or accommodation. Unlike many pests that might be deterred by cleanliness alone, bedbugs can thrive in both immaculate and unkempt environments, making them a democratic menace that affects people across all socioeconomic backgrounds. Their ability to survive without feeding for months at a time allows them to remain hidden in furniture, wall cracks, and bedding, patiently waiting for an opportunity to emerge. Additionally, many populations have developed resistance to commonly used pesticides, further complicating control efforts. This combination of resilience, stealth, and adaptive capabilities explains why cities continue to struggle with infestations despite awareness and professional treatment services. For travelers and city dwellers alike, understanding the scope of the problem is the first step toward protecting oneself from these persistent parasites.

Given the challenges of eliminating established infestations, Orkin emphasizes that prevention remains the most effective strategy for dealing with bedbugs. The company recommends several practical measures that can significantly reduce the risk of bringing these unwanted guests into one’s home. When staying in hotels or other accommodations, travelers should thoroughly search rooms for signs of infestation before settling in. This includes looking for the small, flat, oval-shaped insects themselves, which are typically brown and approximately the size of an apple seed. Lifting sheets, curtains, and cushions can reveal bedbugs or signs of their presence such as small blood spots, shed skins, or tiny eggs. During stays, keeping luggage elevated on racks and away from beds and furniture can prevent hitchhiking bedbugs from finding their way into belongings. These simple precautions require minimal effort but can save tremendous headaches and expenses associated with bringing home an infestation.

The final line of defense against bedbugs occurs when returning home from travels, particularly from stays in highly infested cities. Orkin advises carefully examining luggage before bringing it into the home and implementing a crucial heat treatment for all clothing. Placing all dryer-safe clothing from luggage in the dryer for 30 to 45 minutes at the highest heat setting can effectively kill any bedbugs or eggs that might have hitched a ride. This simple step has proven remarkably effective, as bedbugs cannot survive the high temperatures of a clothes dryer. For items that cannot be heat-treated, careful inspection and isolation may be necessary until you can be confident they’re pest-free. By incorporating these preventive measures into regular travel routines, urban dwellers can significantly reduce their risk of contributing to their city’s bedbug statistics. As metropolitan areas continue to grow and travel between cities increases, this awareness and vigilance become not just personal protection but a contribution to public health and comfort in America’s urban landscapes. The battle against bedbugs may be ongoing, but with proper knowledge and preventive actions, it’s a battle that individual citizens can help win, one careful inspection at a time.