Chicago Recognized as the Most Infested U.S. City for Bed Bugs for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Chicago Tops Bed Bug Infestation Rankings Again

Chicago has once again secured its position as the most bed bug-infested city in the United States, a title it shares with ongoing struggles against rats.

According to Orkin’s annual rankings, reported by NBC Chicago on Monday, this marks the fifth consecutive year that cities with Democratic leadership have dominated the lists. The rankings are based on treatment data from May 15, 2024, to May 14, 2025, focusing on areas where bed bug treatments were most frequent.

Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Indianapolis followed Chicago in the rankings, with two Illinois metro areas, Champaign and Peoria, taking spots at No. 9 and No. 33, respectively.

Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on the blood of people and animals, especially at night, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They’re not known to transmit diseases, but their bites can cause irritation and sleepless nights. Eradicating them from a home can be both costly and inconvenient.

These pests can be found across various continents and are commonly located even in upscale hotels and resorts. Interestingly, cleanliness doesn’t necessarily deter bed bugs; they can show up just as easily in tidy or messy places.

They can also hitch rides on buses and trains, making them quite adaptable, according to Orkin Entomologist Ben Hottel. He mentioned, “Bed bugs are among the most resilient pests in the world, and controlling them can be really tough once they find their way into a home or hotel. With summer trips coming up, it’s crucial for people to know how to spot, prevent, and manage these pests.”

On another note, Chicago is implementing measures to tackle its rat problem as well. Fox 32 reported on a birth control method aimed at reducing rat populations within the city. This includes placing bait boxes filled with contraceptive substances in alleys behind key commercial areas like Wicker Park and Bucktown, which seeks to manage rat numbers without harming other wildlife or the environment.