Three New York cities are among the 50 cities with the most bed bug activity and infestations for 2026, according to the pest control company Orkin.
New York City, Buffalo and Syracuse were all ranked on Orkin’s 2026 Bed Bug Cities List, which is based on data showing where Orkin performed the most residential and commercial bed bug treatments from May 2025 to May 2026.
According to Orkin, bed bugs, though they can be found anywhere, are typically found in densely populated areas with high resident and visitor turnover, as it provides more opportunities for bed bugs to spread. Many of the 50 cities included on the list are popular travel destinations where there is a lot of visitor traffic, the company stated.
“Travel season brings excitement, but it also makes awareness especially important,” Orkin entomologist and National Technical Director Dr. Shannon Sked said. “Bed bugs are resilient pests that can be difficult to control once introduced into a home or hotel room, and they are skilled at hiding in cracks, crevices and personal belongings.”
“A quick inspection of hotels or short-term rentals while traveling, or belongings before unpacking at home, can help travelers reduce the chance of bringing bed bugs home,” she added.
Here is what to know about bed bug infestations in New York.
Where did the NY cities fall on the 2026 Bed Bug Cities List?
The Big Apple has the highest amount of bed bug activity and infestations out of the three New York cities on Orkin’s list.
NYC jumped up to No. 12 on Orkin’s 2026 list, a three-spot increase from its place on the 2025 list. Buffalo also jumped up two spots from last year to the No. 35 spot.
Syracuse had the biggest jump of the three cities from 2025, climbing up six spots to No. 44.
“Changes in the rankings can be influenced by a variety of factors such as travel trends, treatment resistance strains and educational campaigns to the public,” Sked said. “Still, one thing remains constant: bed bugs continue to be a concern in communities across the United States, regardless of socioeconomic demographics, sanitation facilities maintenance levels.”
Many other cities on the list saw major increases in bed bug activity over the last year. According to Orkin, these yearly changes show the “persistent and evolving” activity of bed bugs across the country.
50 U.S. cities with the highest bed bug activity
Here are the top 50 U.S. cities that had the most bed bug activity and infestations from May 2025 to May 2026, according to Orkin:
Bed bug prevention tips
Bed bugs are extremely small with flat bodies that allow them to hide in hard-to-spot places for weeks before they are discovered. Many travelers often bring them home in their luggage without noticing until it’s too late.
Orkin recommends using the S.L.E.E.P. method to help travelers prevent accidentally spreading bed bugs. The following acronym is a step-by-step process to inspect for the tiny bugs:
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Bed bugs are surging in these 3 New York cities, report says
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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By Madison Scott, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
