US Cities With the Worst Bed Bugs Outbreaks

Matt Unrein • June 10, 2024

Bed Bugs Outbreaks in American Cities



While Paris has become recently famous for the massive outbreak of bed bugs, American cities have seen their fair share of bed bug outbreaks. "These cities are popular travel destinations so, by nature, they are going to be more vulnerable to bedbug introductions than those cities that are less popular," said Eric Braun an entomologist and technical service manager for Terminix. Here is a list of some American cities that were hit the hardest by the new wave of bed bugs.


According to Terminix, Philadelphia has been hit the hardest by the outbreak of bed bugs with Chicago and New York City following up of the list. However, Orkin had the same cities listed for bed bugs but the order of the cities was reversed with Chicago being number one and Philadelphia being number three.


When mapping the data of bed bug outbreaks, the cities in the Midwest have seen some of the worst outbreaks with cities in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan taking the lead, but East Coast cities also seeing an increase in the pests.


States across the US have passed laws and regulations to combat the rise of bed bugs. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and many others have statutes that focused-on hotels and landlords. "Be sure to check with your state and local authorities for any changes in these requirements or to find out if your state or city has enacted a requirement more recently", according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.


If you think that you might have bed bugs you give us a call to schedule a free inspections.


The original articles can be found here:

EPA

US News

Visit our bed bug FAQ page to learn more or give us a call for urgent questions

Why Bed Bugs Are Becoming More Resistant—and What Kansas City Residents Should Know

By Carley Norton • August 18, 2025
According to a TIME article, bed bugs have been a persistent problem for years, but lately, they’ve become even more difficult to eliminate. That’s because these pests are developing resistance to many common pesticides, making traditional treatments less effective.

Hotels Face Growing Bed Bug Risks Amid Peak Travel Season

By Carley Norton • July 18, 2025
Even the cleanest hotels are vulnerable to bed bugs—especially during the summer rush of travelers crisscrossing the country. With suitcases coming and going, and guests checking in and out in rapid cycles, these pests are finding new homes in hotels both budget and luxury. According to a recent USA Today article titled “Any hotel can have bed bugs. How travelers can avoid bringing them home,” experts emphasize that bed bugs aren’t tied to cleanliness but to human activity. “Bed bugs aren’t a reflection of cleanliness—they’re a reality of travel,” the article states. Bed bugs travel by hitching rides on luggage, clothing, or personal items. Once inside a hotel room, they can hide in mattress seams, behind headboards, or in upholstered furniture—waiting for their next host. This makes high-traffic hotels especially susceptible. The surge in summer travel has brought renewed attention to the risk of infestations. With the influx of summer travelers in full swing, bed bugs are hitching rides on luggage, clothing, and personal items, moving from guest to guest and room to room. For hotel operators, this means proactive action is more important than ever. Hotels should implement early detection protocols, such as routine inspections and discreet monitoring tools. Rapid-response treatment options that don’t disrupt guests are critical. SOS Pest Control's approach includes same-day heat treatments that are non-toxic and discreet, conducted with unmarked vehicles to avoid alarming guests. Because your guests should leave with memories, not bed bugs. According to the USA Today report, travelers can protect themselves by: Placing suitcases on luggage racks instead of beds or carpets Inspecting the bed, headboard, and surrounding furniture for small reddish-brown bugs or black dots (droppings) Washing and drying clothes on high heat after travel Even if hotels take all the right steps, prevention is a shared responsibility between guests and management. “Wherever there are people, there’s potential for bed bugs,” said Dr. Brittany Campbell, entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, in the USA Today article. SOS Pest Control warns that bed bugs can follow guests home and remain hidden for long periods. We recommend travelers inspect luggage before reentering their homes and seek professional help at the first sign of an infestation. If you’re a hotel manager in the Kansas City area, you can contact SOS Pest Control at www.soskc.com or call 816-237-5342. Article link: USA TODAY
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