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That distinction matters if you are traveling with a dog, cat, or other pet. Bed bugs are not a sign that a hotel is dirty, and they are not usually a parasite that lives on pets. The main risk is that bugs or eggs can hitchhike home in luggage, clothing, bedding, and pet belongings.
What the 2026 ranking actually measures
Orkin’s 2026 Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list is based on the number of bed bug treatments it performed in each metro area from May 12, 2025, through May 12, 2026. The list includes both residential and commercial work.
Chicago is first, followed by Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. Chicago was also No. 1 in Orkin’s 2025 ranking, which covered treatments from May 15, 2024, through May 14, 2025.
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| Rank | Metro area |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago |
| 2 | Los Angeles |
| 3 | Detroit |
| 4 | Cleveland, Ohio |
| 5 | Indianapolis |
| 6 | Springfield, Illinois |
| 7 | Washington, D.C. |
| 8 | Columbus, Ohio |
| 9 | Pittsburgh |
| 10 | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
This is a ranking of Orkin treatment volume, not a nationwide census of every infestation. It can be influenced by where Orkin operates, where customers request service, and how much commercial work it receives. It also is not a population-adjusted prevalence rate.
Does Chicago have the most hotel bed bugs?
There is not enough published information to make that claim. Orkin provides commercial bed bug services to hotels, but its city ranking does not disclose a separate hotel-only number for Chicago or any other city.
A careful summary is: Chicago had the highest overall bed bug treatment activity in Orkin’s 2026 dataset. Saying that Chicago has “the most hotel infestations in the United States” goes beyond what the ranking demonstrates.
That does not mean hotel travelers should ignore the issue. Bed bugs can occur in five-star hotels and resorts as well as in other lodging, according to the CDC. Cleanliness alone does not determine whether a room has them. The insects spread by hiding in luggage, clothing, bedding, furniture, and other belongings.
Rank #2
- KILLS ON CONTACT: Eliminates ants, bed bugs, spiders, dust mites, flying insects, and more from your bedding, carpet, and indoor spaces on contact to safely and effectively remove unwanted houseguests
- PREVENTS & DETERS: time-tested proven peppermint oils and ingredients, work as a powerful deterrent to eliminate pests and keep them out for good to avoid reinfestation
- PROTECT BEDDING & CARPETS: Terminate troublesome bugs and insects without a trace with this non-staining repellent; apply directly to affected area and common areas like mattresses, baseboards, etc.
- MINTY FRESH SCENT: Unlike chemical sprays that leave a nauseating odor, spray contains peppermint oil, lemongrass, for a soothing and fresh fragrance that smells like clean
- PLANT-BASED FORMULA: This insect repeller and killer is, kid and pet safe used as directed, and created without harsh and harmful chemicals to get rid of pests without hurting the ones you love
Can bed bugs live on dogs and cats?
Pets can be exposed when a bug hides in a carrier, blanket, toy, or other item, but a hotel bed bug problem is primarily an environmental and travel-belongings problem—not the same as a flea or tick infestation living on the animal.
Do not apply a household bed bug spray, pesticide, essential oil, or “natural” treatment to a dog or cat. Products intended for rooms, mattresses, luggage, or carpets may be dangerous when used directly on an animal. If your pet has itching, redness, hair loss, or skin lesions, contact a veterinarian rather than assuming bed bugs are responsible. A bite or rash by itself does not confirm bed bugs.
Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease to people, according to the CDC, but they can cause itching, sleep loss, allergic reactions, and skin infections caused by scratching. Pets may also become uncomfortable if people respond to a suspected infestation with unsafe chemicals or improvised heat.
How to check a hotel room before unpacking
A quick inspection can reduce the chance of bringing bugs home with your pet’s gear or your own luggage. You do not need to dismantle the room; concentrate on places where bed bugs commonly hide.
Rank #3
- Travel-size bed bug spray: Hygea Natural's bedbug treatment comes in a 3oz spray bottle that is TSA approved for carry on plane travel.
- Keep luggage off the bed and floor. Leave it on the luggage rack while you inspect the room. Move the rack away from the wall if practical.
- Inspect the mattress seams. Look along the piping, corners, folds, and the area around the head of the bed.
- Check the headboard and bed frame. Use your phone flashlight around joints, screw holes, cracks, and the rear or lower edge of the headboard.
- Look for physical evidence. Possible signs include live insects, shed skins, rusty blood spots, evidence in mattress folds, or a sweet, musty odor.
- Check the luggage rack. It is safer than the bed or floor, but it should still be inspected before you place a carrier or suitcase on it.
- Ask for another room if you find evidence. Tell hotel staff what you found and request a room that is not immediately adjacent to the suspect room, if the hotel can accommodate that request.
Bite marks are not a reliable room test. The CDC notes that marks may be absent, delayed, or mistaken for mosquito or flea bites. Identifying an insect or other physical sign is more useful than trying to diagnose the problem from skin marks alone.
What to do after returning home
Keep luggage away from beds, couches, pet bedding, and carpeted areas until you have checked it. Inspect seams, pockets, wheels, and folds. Vacuuming can remove some debris, but it is not a substitute for professional advice when you find evidence of an infestation.
Place potentially exposed washable clothing in a dryer and use high heat. The EPA specifically notes that high-temperature drying kills bed bugs, while washing alone generally will not. Follow the clothing manufacturer’s instructions, and do not put items in a hot dryer if doing so could create a fire or fabric hazard.
Handle pet items cautiously. Keep a carrier, blanket, or washable toy in a contained area until it can be inspected and cleaned according to the material’s instructions. Do not spray your pet’s carrier or bedding with a product unless the label specifically permits that use.
Rank #4
- Travel-size bed bug spray: Hygea Natural's bedbug treatment comes in 3 oz spray bottles that are TSA approved for carry on plane travel.
If you find live bugs, shed skins, or recurring evidence, contact a licensed pest-control professional. Ask what preparation is required and how the treatment affects animals, food and water bowls, aquariums, cages, and pet bedding. Remove pets from treated areas exactly as directed, and do not return them until the professional or product label says it is safe.
Unsafe bed bug treatments to avoid
Improvised heat is especially risky in a home with animals. Do not use a thermostat, space heater, fireplace, or other attempt to heat a room or piece of furniture. The EPA warns that these methods are unreliable and can cause fires or other injuries.
Bug bombs and indiscriminate pesticide use can also expose people and pets without reaching bed bugs hidden in cracks and furniture. Use only products registered for the intended pest and location, follow the label, and use a qualified professional when the infestation is established or difficult to locate.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The Bottom Line
Chicago is the No. 1 city in Orkin’s 2026 bed bug treatment ranking, but the data does not prove it has the most hotel infestations. The ranking includes residential and commercial work. When traveling with pets, inspect the room before unpacking, keep carriers and luggage off the bed and floor, dry exposed clothing on high heat when appropriate, and never put household bed bug chemicals directly on an animal.
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- KILLS ON CONTACT: Eliminates ants, bed bugs, spiders, dust mites, flying insects, and more from your bedding, carpet, and indoor spaces on contact to safely and effectively remove unwanted houseguests
- PREVENTS & DETERS: time-tested proven peppermint oils and ingredients, work as a powerful deterrent to eliminate pests and keep them out for good to avoid reinfestation
- PROTECT BEDDING & CARPETS: Terminate troublesome bugs and insects without a trace with this non-staining repellent; apply directly to affected area and common areas like mattresses, baseboards, etc.
- MINTY FRESH SCENT: Unlike chemical sprays that leave a nauseating odor, spray contains peppermint oil, lemongrass, for a soothing and fresh fragrance that smells like clean
- PLANT-BASED FORMULA: This insect repeller and killer is, kid and pet safe used as directed, and created without harsh and harmful chemicals to get rid of pests without hurting the ones you love
FAQ
Is Chicago really the worst bed bug city in the United States?
Chicago is No. 1 on Orkin’s 2026 list of cities with the most bed bug treatment activity, and it has held the top position for six consecutive years. The list measures Orkin’s residential and commercial treatments, not every infestation nationwide or a population-adjusted prevalence rate.
Does Chicago have the most hotel bed bug infestations?
The published ranking does not establish that. Orkin does commercial bed bug work for hotels, but it does not provide a separate hotel-only count by city. The defensible claim is that Chicago had the most overall Orkin treatment activity in the 2026 ranking.
Can my dog or cat bring bed bugs home from a hotel?
A bed bug or egg can potentially hitchhike in a carrier, blanket, luggage, or another item. Inspect and isolate those belongings after travel. Do not treat your pet with household pesticides; ask a veterinarian about unexplained itching or skin problems.
What should I do with clothes after suspected hotel exposure?
Keep luggage away from beds and pet bedding, inspect its seams and pockets, and use a dryer on high heat for clothing that can safely withstand it. Washing alone generally does not kill bed bugs reliably. Contact a pest-control professional if you find physical evidence.
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