A pest control company has released a ranking of the 50 most bedbug-infested cities in the United States, with Columbus ranking high on the list.
Terminix examined service data from its more than 300 branches nationwide to identify which cities received the most treatments for bedbugs in 2024. The company noted a significant increase in bedbug activity across the country, driven by increased travel and urban density.
“We have seen a consistent increase in bedbug control service performed since the ‘new normal’ post-COVID-19 pandemic,” said Eric Braun, technical service manager. “As travel, social gatherings, and public activity resumed, so did the opportunities for bedbugs to spread, prompting a rise in both awareness and demand for professional pest control services.”
The analysis revealed that Columbus was the 12th-most bedbug-infested city last year. Philadelphia took the No. 1 spot, followed by New York, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Multiple other Ohio cities made the list, with Dayton ranking at No. 11, Cincinnati at No. 14, and Toledo at No. 40.
To avoid bedbug bites while traveling, Terminix recommends inspecting for small, rust-colored stains, skin sheds, and live bedbugs on mattress seams, headboards, and nearby furniture before settling into a room. Bedbugs are flat, wingless insects about the size of an apple seed and are typically reddish-brown in color.
Upon returning home from a trip, the company advises travelers to unpack on a hard surface away from their bed, place clothes in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes before washing, and vacuum the inside of their suitcase to prevent bringing the insects into their home.
If bedbugs are found in a residence, Terminix suggests avoiding moving items near the infestation between rooms and contacting a pest control company. Although bedbug bites can cause itching, loss of sleep, and, rarely, allergic reactions, the insects are not known to spread diseases to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.