Chicago just secured the nation’s worst title for the sixth year in a row, leaving residents and tourists wary of a silent hitchhiker
Brace yourselves.
Chicago just earned a dubious honor for the sixth year straight, topping Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List as the worst city in the nation for infestations. According to PEOPLE, the pest control company’s July 7, 2026, report ranks metro areas based on the number of bed bug treatments performed between May 12, 2025, and May 12, 2026. And Chicago’s title isn’t just a local headache. It’s a warning for anyone visiting the city this summer.
Summer travel is in full swing, and bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. They latch onto luggage, clothing, and other personal items, turning hotels, short-term rentals, and even public transit into unwitting distribution hubs. Orkin’s data shows that many of the cities with the worst infestations are also major tourist destinations. Chicago, which saw 56.8 million visitors in 2025, is a prime example.
The city’s packed event calendar – think Lollapalooza, conventions, and sporting events – draws crowds from all over, increasing the chances of bed bugs spreading. Dr. Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist and national technical director, stressed that travelers need to stay vigilant. “Bed bug awareness is especially important during travel season,” she said.
Orkin recommends the S.L.E.E.P. method to inspect rooms and belongings
This includes: Search for signs of infestation, Lift and check sheets and furniture, Elevate luggage away from beds and couches, Examine bags before repacking, and Place dryer-safe clothes on the highest heat setting for 30 to 45 minutes after returning home. It’s a simple routine, but it can save you from bringing these pests home.
Chicago’s dominance on the list is no fluke. Los Angeles, which moved up two spots from last year, ranks second, followed by Detroit, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. Ohio stands out as the most represented state, with six cities in the top 50. The Midwest is clearly a hotspot, though the reasons aren’t entirely clear.
Dr. Sked noted that factors like travel trends, treatment-resistant bed bugs, and public education campaigns can all influence the rankings. “Because infestations rarely resolve on their own, addressing signs of bed bugs early can help limit their spread and make treatment more effective,” she said.
Bed bugs aren’t just a problem for hotels and homes
The critters are popping up in unexpected places, like offices, warehouses, and even movie theaters. Dr. Sked told Facilities Dive that bed bugs are “cosmopolitan,” meaning they can thrive anywhere people gather. The only thing they need to survive is humans. While they don’t transmit diseases, they can cause skin infections and trigger anxiety or stress. For businesses, an infestation can be a nightmare, leading to operational disruptions and reputational damage.
Take the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for example. In May, the agency battled a bed bug outbreak at the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland. Despite initial treatments, the pests lingered, forcing officials to notify workers that the problem wasn’t fully resolved. It’s a scenario that’s becoming more common.
Last year, Google’s New York office dealt with an infestation, with some employees blaming oversized stuffed animals brought into the workplace. Dr. Sked recalled treating a state office building where employees rarely stayed late. “Basically, everybody was gone at 4:30 p.m., and nobody showed up before 6:30 a.m., so nobody was staying overnight,” she said. “And still we had an embedded, established bed bug population there.”
These critters don’t discriminate
They’ve been found in rail cars, furniture stores, and distribution centers. Sked said the highest-risk areas are still hotels and multifamily housing, but offices and warehouses aren’t immune. The key to managing an infestation is early detection. Sked recommends using interceptor traps, which can be placed near baseboards or furniture to catch bed bugs before they spread. Canine detection teams can also help, though their reliability varies.
Sked warns against DIY treatments. Bed bugs are notorious for developing resistance to over-the-counter products like bed bug bombs or thermal foggers. Instead, he advises calling in professionals who have access to commercial-grade treatments. The longer an infestation goes unchecked, the harder and more expensive it becomes to eradicate. It took three months to eliminate the pests from the state office building.
For businesses, the stakes are high. A bed bug outbreak in a distribution center storing mattresses or furniture could spell disaster. The same goes for offices, where an infestation can disrupt operations and damage a company’s reputation. Sked’s advice is simple: monitor for bed bugs regularly, act quickly if you spot them, and don’t assume your workplace is safe just because it’s not a hotel.
Chicago’s streak as the nation’s bed bug capital is a reminder that these pests are a year-round problem, not just a summer nuisance. The city’s high visitor turnover and dense population make it a perfect storm for infestations. If you’re planning a trip there, pack some extra caution along with your luggage. A quick inspection of your hotel room and a hot dryer cycle for your clothes might be the difference between a great vacation and an itchy nightmare.
(Featured image: British Pest Control Association)
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