Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza, impressive architecture, world-class museums, and beautiful Lake Michigan waterfront.
But the city has once again earned a much less desirable distinction.
Chicago has topped Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List, taking the No. 1 spot among U.S. metropolitan areas where the pest-control company performed the most bedbug treatments.
For travelers, that’s certainly not the kind of ranking anyone wants to see their vacation destination win.
The annual list is particularly relevant as millions of Americans travel during the busy summer season, when crowded hotels, vacation rentals, airports, and other public spaces can create opportunities for bedbugs to hitchhike from one location to another.
Chicago Takes the No. 1 Spot Again
Chicago isn’t new to the top of this particular list.
According to Orkin’s 2026 data, the city once again ranked first based on the number of bedbug treatments performed by the company in the metropolitan area.
The ranking covers treatments performed between May 2025 and May 12, 2026 and includes both residential and commercial properties.
What the Ranking Actually Means
The list is based on Orkin’s own treatment data.
That doesn’t mean Chicago has the highest percentage of homes or hotels with bedbugs, nor does it mean every traveler visiting the city will encounter them.
Instead, it shows where Orkin performed the greatest number of bedbug treatments during the period covered by the ranking.
That’s an important distinction.
Which Other Cities Made the List?
Chicago was followed by several other major U.S. metropolitan areas.
The top five cities on Orkin’s 2026 list were:
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Detroit
- Cleveland
- Indianapolis
Other cities also experienced significant changes compared with the previous ranking.
Nashville and Oklahoma City climbed 10 positions, while Youngstown, Omaha, and Knoxville recorded some of the largest drops.
Popular Vacation Destinations Are Also Seeing Bedbug Activity
The problem isn’t limited to major cities traditionally associated with dense urban populations.
Orkin also reported increased activity in popular travel destinations such as Tampa and Myrtle Beach.
That serves as a reminder that bedbugs aren’t simply a “big city” problem.
They can appear anywhere people live, sleep, work, and travel.
Why Are Bedbugs Such a Problem for Travelers?
Bedbugs are small insects that feed on blood and tend to stay close to people.
They commonly hide in mattresses, furniture, couches, bed frames, cracks, and other protected areas.
Travel gives these pests plenty of opportunities to move around.
How Bedbugs Travel
Bedbugs are excellent hitchhikers.
They can potentially move from one location to another by hiding in:
- Suitcases
- Backpacks
- Clothing
- Purses
- Bedding
- Other personal belongings
A traveler doesn’t need to intentionally bring a bedbug home.
One insect hiding in a suitcase can potentially become a much bigger problem later.
Hotels Aren’t the Only Risk
Hotels are often the first place people think about when discussing bedbugs, but they aren’t the only environment where these insects can occur.
Bedbugs may also be found in:
- Vacation rentals
- Apartments
- Dormitories
- Public transportation
- Offices
- Other places where people spend significant amounts of time
This doesn’t mean travelers should become paranoid.
It simply means awareness is useful.
How to Check a Hotel Room for Bedbugs
You don’t need to completely dismantle a hotel room to perform a basic inspection.
A quick look at several common hiding places can provide an extra layer of protection.
Check the Mattress Seams
Before unpacking, inspect the seams and edges of the mattress.
Look carefully around folds, corners, and areas where the mattress meets the bed frame.
What Should You Look For?
Travelers may notice signs such as small dark spots, shed skins, eggs, or live insects.
However, stains or marks can have many causes, so don’t automatically assume every unusual spot means bedbugs are present.
Inspect the Headboard and Bed Frame
The area around the headboard and bed frame can provide hiding places for bedbugs.
A quick visual inspection can be worthwhile before settling into the room.
Check Upholstered Furniture
If the room has a sofa, armchair, or other upholstered furniture, look around seams and crevices.
You don’t need to spend an hour searching every corner.
The goal is simply to identify anything obviously unusual before unpacking everything.
How to Avoid Bringing Bedbugs Home
Finding a bedbug during a trip is unpleasant.
Bringing one home can be considerably worse.
Fortunately, travelers can take some simple precautions.
Keep Your Suitcase Off the Bed
When possible, avoid placing luggage directly on beds or upholstered furniture.
Using a luggage rack or another suitable surface can reduce opportunities for insects to get into your belongings.
Inspect Your Luggage Before Unpacking
After returning home, inspect your suitcase and other bags before putting them away.
Pay particular attention to:
- Seams
- Zippers
- Pockets
- Folds
- Cracks and crevices
Wash and Dry Clothing
If you suspect your belongings may have been exposed to bedbugs, follow appropriate laundering and drying recommendations.
Heat from a properly used dryer can be effective against bedbugs on suitable items, but care should be taken with clothing and materials that may be damaged by high temperatures.
What Should You Do If You Find a Bedbug?
Don’t panic.
If you discover what appears to be a bedbug in a hotel, take a photo if possible and notify management immediately.
Avoid moving your belongings around unnecessarily until you know what you’re dealing with.
If You Think You Brought Bedbugs Home
If you suspect bedbugs have traveled home with you, consider contacting a qualified pest-control professional.
Trying random sprays or home remedies can sometimes make treatment more difficult.
A professional can identify the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Does Chicago’s Ranking Mean You Should Avoid Visiting?
Not necessarily.
A bedbug ranking doesn’t mean that Chicago is unsafe for travelers.
It also doesn’t mean that every hotel or vacation rental in the city has bedbugs.
The ranking reflects Orkin’s treatment data, not a guarantee that visitors will encounter the pests.
Chicago Still Has Plenty to Offer
Chicago remains one of America’s most popular urban destinations.
Visitors come for its architecture, museums, restaurants, sports, neighborhoods, parks, music, and Lake Michigan shoreline.
A single pest-control ranking shouldn’t overshadow everything the city has to
