Chicago Again Tops Orkin’s 2025 Bed Bug Cities; Los Angeles Ranks No. 4
Chicago has been named the nation’s most bed bug-infested city for the fifth straight year, topping Orkin’s 2025 Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list based on treatment data from May 15, 2024, to May 14, 2025.
Key takeaways
- Chicago holds No. 1 for the fifth consecutive year on Orkin’s 2025 list (Orkin press release).
- Top 10 cities include Cleveland (#2), Detroit (#3), Los Angeles (#4)Orkin annual rankings).
- Rankings reflect where Orkin technicians performed the most treatments — residential and commercial — from May 15, 2024 to May 14, 2025, making the list a service-volume bellwether.
What the ranking measures and why it matters
Orkin’s Top 50 Bed Bug Cities is compiled from the company’s proprietary service data and tallies where technicians performed the most bed bug treatments in both homes and businesses. Because the list is based on actual service calls rather than complaints or surveys, it offers a direct look at where professional interventions were needed.
Bed bug basics
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat insects that feed on human blood. They hide in mattresses, furniture, luggage and other nooks and spread most often through travel and movement of used belongings. Their resilience and ability to hitch rides on people and objects make outbreaks difficult to predict and control.
Chicago’s prolonged lead
Chicago has held the No. 1 spot since 2021. Orkin’s year-to-year treatment data show the city continues to generate the most bed bug treatment calls nationwide. Experts point to population density, frequent travel and shared housing as common urban factors that sustain bed bug spread.
“Chicago’s repeat ranking points to persistent local conditions that favor bed bug survival and spread.”
Shifts around the country
The 2025 list shows movement across metro areas: Cleveland and Detroit remain high, New York fell to #15, Charlotte dropped to #31 and Hartford climbed dramatically to #35 after a 48-spot jump. These swings underscore that bed bug activity can change rapidly and vary by locality.
Los Angeles on the list — local angle and concerns
Los Angeles ranks No. 4 on Orkin’s 2025 list, reflecting substantial treatment activity across a metro driven by tourism, hospitality and a large rental market. The placement has practical implications for residents, property managers and city health officials.
Implications for Los Angeles
Economic impact: Hotels and short-term rentals may face treatment costs, room closures and reputational harm. Landlords can incur repeated expenses for treatments and furniture replacement.
Political consequences: City leaders may face pressure to expand education, inspections and tenant protections while balancing costs for small businesses and housing providers.
Social effects: Vulnerable populations — renters, low-income households and those in shared housing — often bear the greatest burden. Stigma can discourage reporting and allow infestations to spread; community outreach and support for affordable treatment can reduce barriers.
Travel, seasonality and prevention
Orkin and health officials stress that bed bugs travel with people. For travel-heavy months, recommended checks include inspecting mattress seams, headboards and furniture, keeping luggage off the floor, and using protective encasements where possible. Early detection and prompt professional treatment remain the best defenses.
Practical actions for residents and businesses
- Inspect and treat or discard secondhand furniture before bringing it inside.
- Travelers should check hotel rooms — mattress seams, headboards and furniture — and keep luggage elevated.
- Landlords and property managers should establish rapid-response plans with licensed pest-control firms and communicate clearly with tenants.
- Public agencies can expand education at community centers and shelters to reduce stigma and increase early reporting.
Reporting and data limitations
Orkin’s list reflects where its technicians performed treatments, not a citywide census. Some cities may register fewer Orkin calls because residents use other companies, municipal services, or do not seek professional help. Despite this, service-volume data remain a useful bellwether for national and local trends.
