For the fifth straight year, Chicago has reached an unenviable milestone—becoming the number one city for bed bug infestations.
See the tweet below!
According to Orkin’s acclaimed Top 50 Bed Bug Cities List, Chicago surpasses other metro areas in bed bug problems, highlighting an ongoing struggle that should concern residents and travelers alike.
Orkin’s rankings stem from treatment data compiled between May 15, 2024, and May 14, 2025, using both residential and commercial service calls.
This annual report puts Chicago ahead of other cities dominated by liberal policies, such as Cleveland, Detroit, and Los Angeles, all of which suffer from significant bed bug challenges.
Despite substantial investments and remediation efforts, Chicago’s consistent top ranking underscores the urgency for robust pest control solutions.
Dr. Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist, reminds us that bed bugs remain one of the toughest pests, primarily due to their resilience and resistance to certain treatments.
As summer travels increase, Dr. Hottel stresses the importance of awareness and control measures, particularly during vacations when the risk of encountering these pests is higher.
Peoria, Illinois, is another concerning addition to this list, entering at number 33.
Furthermore, Hartford, Connecticut, made a notable leap, advancing 48 spots to land at number 35, which reflects the spreading infestations across the nation.
Aside from revealing troubling trends in traditionally Democratic cities, these rankings remind us of the necessity to strengthen prevention and early detection efforts.
“What makes bed bugs especially challenging is their growing resistance to certain treatments, which is why early detection and proactive prevention are so critical,” Hottel points out.
Ultimately, Orkin recommends vigilance through their S.L.E.E.P. inspection method—Search, Lift, Elevate, Examine, and Place—especially when traveling.
Recognizing these pests early can mitigate the challenge of handling established infestations later.
Experts advocate that any sign of bed bugs warrants the involvement of trained professionals for effective eradication.
Despite the concern, these rankings offer lessons for all cities grappling with increased infestations.
Besides raising public awareness about the need for proactive measures, these statistics emphasize the role of personal diligence in preventing domestic and commercial bed bug problems.
Chicago, long infested with crime and poverty, keeps crawling ahead of its rivals to remain the champion of one more side effect of its decline. Pest control company Orkin said that the deep-blue Democrat-dominated city is top in the nation in bed bugs… https://t.co/3f6WWh3DFC pic.twitter.com/AFKamZVoeQ
— The Western Journal (@WesternJournalX) July 4, 2025
