These 10 U.S. Cities Have More Bed Bugs Than Anywhere Else in America

Bedbugs. It’s a word everyone knows, but no one wants to hear. The last thing you want to deal with on your vacation is the possibility of bedbugs. Much like ticks, you don’t notice them until it’s too late. You wake up with little bumps on your skin, ranging from red splotches to noticeable blisters. They are itchy, fatigue-inducing, and the ultimate way to ruin a trip. Unfortunately, bedbugs are everywhere. There are, however, some U.S. cities that have more bed bugs than anywhere else in America.

These little parasites cause trouble wherever they land. While bed bugs are not known to spread diseases, their bites can cause allergic reactions and, in rare cases, secondary skin infections from scratching. Bed bugs are also difficult to eradicate, as they can survive for several months—and in some cases up to a year—without feeding. This allows bedbugs to move easily with people across city and state lines, only to end up in a place near you.

Believe it or not, bedbug infestations were once more prevalent in the 20th century. Thanks to novel innovations in pesticides, however, their numbers have dropped considerably. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t a problem. Several U.S. cities have real bedbug problems. Before we talk about those unfortunate cities, let’s discover a little more about bedbugs and what to do if you come across them.

Bed Bug Background

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that belong to the Cimex genus. There are two bed bug species, Cimex lectularius (the common bed bug) and Cimex hemipterus (Tropical bed bugs). Ranging between 1 and 7 mm in size, these little vampires prefer the darkness. They are often found in hidden locations such as mattress seams, cracks in walls, and bed frames. As obligate bloodsuckers, bed bugs are attracted to their hosts by carbon dioxide and heat. There’s even evidence that bed bugs can orient themselves to human odors.

Because of their relative hardiness, bed bugs are usually only noticed after it’s too late. This allows them to shadow human movement. Be it luggage or clothing, bed bugs latch onto people’s things and infest different buildings, blocks, and parts of the globe. They say a severe bed bug infestation produces an odor similar to rotten raspberries. To make matters worse, their bites can produce spots, blisters, and even lesions. These bites itch and can even cause serious allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. Everyone knows that if you wake up with bed bug bites, you’re going to have to go scorched earth on your belongings to get rid of them. You’ll likely need to wash and dry your clothes and bedding on high heat, and in severe cases, you may need to dispose of heavily infested items like mattresses.

Bed Bugs Through History

They may seem like a modern problem, but bed bugs have been around for thousands of years. Fossil records from Ancient Egypt show their presence. Though they were nearly eradicated after World War II, bed bugs have been making a comeback due to globalization, markets for second-hand goods, and the banning of certain key pesticides. According to bed bugs’ arch-nemesis, the pest control company Terminix, several U.S. cities are utterly infested with these parasites. Terminix calculated its ratings based on the number of calls it received to deal with bed bugs in each city.

Philadelphia

It isn’t the biggest city in the United States, but the city of Brotherly Love has a serious bedbug problem. Philadelphia has held the number one spot for bed bug infestations for the second year in a row as of 2025. Increased travel, immigration, and other factors have likely contributed to Philadelphia’s bedbug problem, but it’s nothing new. Back in 2015, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) received 31 complaints about insects on city transit vehicles. This was confirmed by a viral photo showing bedbugs chilling on the bus.

The city has taken steps to mitigate its bed bug issue. It started a bed bug task force after city councilmember Mark Squilla was bitten in 2014. Laws were passed in 2019 to put the onus on landlords to deal with bedbugs. Despite its efforts, Philadelphia continues to rank as the most bed bug-infested city in the U.S.

New York

Bed bugs have embodied the idea that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. The city sits in second place for the most bedbug infestations in the United States. Thanks to New York’s incredible density of buildings, bed bugs thrive there. Some boroughs, however, have it worse than others. Flatbush is one of the Brooklyn neighborhoods with the highest number of bed bug reports.

Other boroughs, however, are not immune. The Bronx has the second-most bed bugs in the city. The neighborhood of Wakefield, in particular, has the highest number of bed bug violations. In 2019 alone, there were over 60,000 work order reports for bed bug violations in New York City’s public housing.

Cleveland-Akron (Canton)

There are several running jokes about Cleveland, but its bedbug problem is serious. It sits in third place for the most bed bug infestations in the United States. There’s something up with Ohio, and no one is quite sure why. That’s because three different Ohio cities are on the top 15 list of most bed bug-infested U.S. cities. The state may only hold 2.6% of the country’s population, but it is rife with these parasites.

The city’s bedbug problem may come down to reporting. According to News Channel 5 Cleveland, the Summit County Health Department had fewer than 10 bed bug complaints in 2023. That said, the Cleveland Health Department doesn’t track bed bug cases because it doesn’t consider them a reportable disease. People think bedbugs come from hotels, but in Cleveland, you can even encounter them in restaurants and on school-provided laptops.

Los Angeles

Sitting in fourth place is the City of Angels. It’s a city with nearly four million inhabitants and countless others traveling in and out. Los Angeles’ sheer number of hotels likely contributes to its bed bug problem. Regardless of the source, a recent court settlement suggests the city is tired of infestations.

Two weeks ago, a jury awarded a record-setting $2 million settlement to Alvaro Gutierrez and Ramiro Sanchez after they were severely bitten by bedbugs at Shores Inn in nearby Ventura. This is among the largest settlements for bed bug infestations in U.S. history.

Dallas – Fort Worth

Coming in fifth place is the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. It’s hard to say exactly why bed bugs have infested these Texas cities, but it’s likely due to Dallas and Fort Worth being a popular travel hub. It’s not just hotels bearing the brunt, either. According to this article from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a state-contracted residential facility for people recently released from prison, the Fort Worth Transitional Center, has been plagued by bed bugs for years.

Atlanta

Atlanta holds the 6th spot for the most bed bug-infested city. This makes sense as it has seen massive growth in the last decade, with housing becoming more dense in the process. Plus, its unique climate makes it the perfect spot for bed bugs. Hotlanta has considerably warm temperatures, and its high humidity levels help bed bugs to thrive.

Houston

Just across the state from Dallas and Fort Worth is Houston, which sits at number seven on the list of most bed bug-infested U.S. Cities. While its humid climate helps ensure bed bug proliferation, there are two key factors that likely put Houston in the rankings. One, it has the third most lodgings of any U.S. city. Two, it has at least 54 used furniture stores (the second highest number in the United States).

Washington, D.C. (including Hagerstown, Maryland)

The capital routinely makes the rankings for the most bed bug-infested U.S. cities thanks to its large number of international visitors. It seems the city has improved its situation in recent years, considering it topped the list back in 2020. Now it sits at a more manageable eighth position. It seems that the nearby city of Hagerstown, Maryland, bears the brunt of the bed bug problem. An article from 2017 suggests this isn’t a new problem.

San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose

It seems a little bit of a stretch to combine three separate cities, but there’s no doubt about it: the San Francisco Bay Area has a serious bed bug problem. The area gets a lot of visitors, both international and domestic, which likely contributes to its bed bug infestations and incidents. The peninsula isn’t immune either. Last year, an assisted living facility in nearby Redwood City endured a taxing bed bug situation.

Indianapolis

While it may have a population of less than a million people, Indianapolis, Indiana, takes the number 10 spot among the most bedbug-infested cities in America. This isn’t the first time the city has made the rankings. It has made the top ten list the last few years in a row. That said, Indianapolis has improved its standing since 2023, when it was ranked number seven overall. This news story from 2018 suggests that Indianapolis bed bugs are everywhere, including movie theaters.

Extra Tips for Dealing With Bed Bugs

They are an unwelcome pest that’s very hard to get rid of, so it’s important to know what to look for, how to prevent bed bug infestations, and what to do if you are bitten. Here are some concise tips to give you the edge over these little vampires.

• Bed Bugs live in beds, mattresses, cracks in walls, and more. They don’t only infest dirty places. Bed bugs can be found practically anywhere, including restaurants, movie theaters, and living facilities.
• When renting a hotel or motel room, be sure to check beds, mattresses, and furniture for black spots left by bed bug waste.
• If you suspect you’ve been bitten by bed bugs, seek treatment immediately. Also, inform the owners of the building you’re in that they may have an infestation.
• Once you’re sure of infestation, dispose of infested items like furniture in proper places (don’t leave them out on the curb). If possible, seal and label infested items to prevent the spread.
• When you’ve done all you can, seek professional help. Various pest control services will use techniques such as heat treatment and targeted chemical solutions to help eradicate bed bugs.