For most Americans, summertime means travel. And if you’re traveling this season, beware of unwanted pest guests who may hitch a ride home with you. Regardless of how luxurious your hotel room or vacation rental is, bed bugs are always a possibility.
And Florida his a hotspot for summer travel, which means a higher likelihood of encountering bed bugs. In June, pest control company Terminix released its list of the top 50 U.S. cities with the worst bed bug infestations in 2025 and seven Florida cities made the list.
“When looking at which states appear the most, Ohio, Texas, Florida, California, and Pennsylvania dominate, suggesting regional trends in infestations are likely tied to climate, housing trends, and travel hubs,” the Terminix study said.
Here’s what to know about bed bugs, how to identify and prevent them and which Florida cities made Terminix’s top 50 list.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are a small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of people and animals. And yes, they’re invasive.
Their scientific name is Cimex lectularius. They are thought to have originated in Europe, the Middle East or in India, but moved across the world as humans did, the Center for Invasive Species Research says.
While their lifespan is roughly six months to a year, female bedbugs can deposit one to five eggs a day and may lay 200 to 500 eggs in their lifetime, creating widespread infestations.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bedbugs give off a musty and slightly sweet odor.
How can I tell if there are bed bugs? Are bed bugs visible?
According to Healthline, adult bed bugs are visible to the naked eye. They are reddish-brown, wingless, and about the size of an apple seed with oval-shaped bodies.
But they are masters at hiding. Bed bugs are primarily nocturnal and come out of hiding to grab their next bite, usually whoever is getting their beauty sleep nearby.
Young bed bugs aren’t visible to the naked eye unless they’ve eaten recently. Experts note they are usually very small and translucent to whitish-yellow in color.
Where do bed bugs hide?
Bed bug infestations usually occur around or near areas where people sleep, the CDC said. Bed bugs can travel over 100 feet in a single night, but tend to live within 8 feet of where you sleep.
During the day, they’re found hidden in places, like the seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, dresser tables, inside cracks or crevices, behind wallpaper, or any other clutter or objects around a bed.
It’s also critical to note that these tiny pests can cling to items you’re taking home with you, like luggage, purses, clothes and other personal belongings, easily moving from one location to another.
Can bed bug bites make you feel sick?
Getting bites from bed bugs won’t necessarily make you sick, but the bites will itch and feel uncomfortable. But if you have a long-term bed bug infestation and are continuously bitten, it could cause some health issues.
“Bed bugs do not transmit diseases, but they can cause a lot of discomfort because of the itching that results from the bites,” Roberto Pereira, an urban entomologist at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, said in an email.
“If the infestation is extreme, and a person is exposed to bed bug bites for a long period of time, that person may develop anemia and symptoms of low blood volume, known as hypovolemia. This can lead to other complications, including heart problems that can be dangerous. Fortunately, this occurs very rarely.”
What is the easiest way to check for, prevent bed bugs?
Here’s Terminix’s checklist for checking your rental or hotel room for signs of bed bugs and preventing an infestation:
Before you settle into your room:
During your stay:
“If you’ve found bed bugs in your home, the first step is to contain the infestation. Avoid moving infested items between rooms, as this can spread the problem. Steer clear of DIY sprays,” Terminix says.
“Many bed bug populations are resistant to over-the-counter products, or they can push them into other areas, making them more difficult to remediate. Acting quickly can help reduce the severity of the infestation while you wait for professional treatment.”
Most bed bug-infested cities in Florida, the U.S.
While no Florida cities made it into the top 20 of Terminix’s list, seven appeared in the top 50. Tampa and St. Pete were the first Florida cities on the list, tied in 26th place.
Here are the Florida cities that were on Terminix’s list and where they rank:
Here’s Terminix’s list of the top 50 most bed bug-infested cities in the U.S.:
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Check your vacation rental, hotel for these unwanted guests: What to know about bed bugs
Reporting by Lianna Norman and Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
