The Bed Bug Boom: Terminix Reveals Top 50 Infested U.S. Cities

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Just in time for peak travel season, Terminix®, a Rentokil Terminix company, announced today its annual list of the Top 50 Most Bed Bug-Infested U.S. Cities, based on 2024 service data from more than 300 branches nationwide. The results reveal a notable surge in bed bug activity, with cities across Ohio, Texas, Florida, California and Pennsylvania dominating the list – a trend fueled by increased travel, urban density and housing conditions.

Philadelphia claimed the top spot for the second year in a row, while New York City (#2) and Cleveland-Akron (#3) both rose into the top five, reflecting continued struggles with these persistent pests.

“We have seen a consistent increase in bed bug control service performed since the ‘new normal’ post-COVID-19 pandemic,” said Eric Braun, Technical Service Manager at Terminix. “As travel, social gatherings, and public activity resumed, so did the opportunities for bed bugs to spread, prompting a rise in both awareness and demand for professional pest control services.”

Top 10 Most Bed Bug-Infested Cities:

1. Philadelphia
2. New York City (+1)
3. Cleveland-Akron (Canton) (+1)
4. Los Angeles (+17)
5. Dallas-Ft. Worth (+1)
6. Atlanta (-1)
7. Houston (+4)
8. Washington, D.C. (Hagerstown) (New to list)
9. San Francisco-Oak-San Jose (New to list)
10. Indianapolis (+2)

Tips for Bed Bug Prevention

To protect against bed bugs and avoid bringing them home when traveling, Terminix recommends the following steps:

• Before settling into a hotel or rental: Inspect mattress seams, headboards and nearby furniture for small, rust-colored stains, shed skins or live bed bugs. Avoid placing luggage on the bed or floor while inspecting the room.
• Upon returning home: Unpack on a hard surface away from bedrooms and place clothing in the dryer for thirty minutes on high heat to spot and eliminate any live bed bugs.
• If bed bugs make it home: Contain the infestation quickly and avoid DIY sprays. Reduce the severity of the infestation by entering limited rooms while awaiting professional treatment.

To learn more about bed bug prevention and Terminix’s latest bed bug treatment plans, visit www.terminix.com/bed-bug-control.

About Rentokil Terminix

Rentokil Terminix is the leading provider of residential and commercial services in North America. The company provides health, hygiene, and environment services, and pest management services, including protection against termites, mosquitoes, rodents and other pests. The company is part of Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE: RTO), one of the largest business services companies in the world. To learn more, visit EnhancedPestControl.com, or linkedin.com/company/rentokilterminix.