A pest control company has released its annual report ranking the top 50 American cities with the highest rate of bed bug infestations — and two Iowa cities are on the list.
There are some caveats, though. Orkin’s rankings are based on its own residential and commercial bed bug treatments performed between May 12, 2025, and May 12, 2026.
In this case, high bed bug infestations don’t mean that these cities don’t know how to keep clean. Orkin said increased travel and high turnover at hotels, apartments and other accommodations can create more opportunities for bed bugs to spread by hitchhiking on luggage and personal belongings.
Which Iowa cities ranked on the national list for worst bed bugs?
In Iowa, the two cities that rank among the highest nationwide bed bug infestations are Davenport and Cedar Rapids.
Davenport sits at number 19 overall, with Cedar Rapids taking the number 25th spot.
Which cities ranked highest for bed bugs?
The top ten cities ranked are:
Ohio was the most heavily represented state on the list, with six cities appearing in the top 50, including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Youngstown, Dayton and Toledo.
A recent USA TODAY report, citing a Casino.ca analysis, found Michigan had the nation’s highest estimated risk of bed bugs for travelers, followed by Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, New York and Washington, D.C.
How travelers can avoid bringing bed bugs home
“Travel season brings excitement, but it also makes awareness especially important,” said Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist and national technical director.
Orkin recommends inspecting hotel rooms before unpacking by checking mattresses and furniture for live bugs, shed skins, tiny eggs or dark, ink-like stains.
Travelers should also keep luggage on elevated racks away from beds, inspect bags before returning home and place dryer-safe clothing in a high-heat dryer for 30 to 45 minutes after traveling.
Bed bugs rarely disappear on their own, making early detection and prompt professional treatment the best way to prevent infestations from spreading, Sked said.
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Two Iowa cities are among the nation’s worst for bed bug infestations
Reporting by Lucia Cheng and Anthony Thompson, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lucia Cheng and Anthony Thompson, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
