Summer is the season for family vacations, road trips, overnight camps, college orientations, business travel, and weekend getaways. Unfortunately, it's also one of the busiest times of year for bed bugs.
As millions of people travel across the country, bed bugs have more opportunities to hitchhike from hotels, vacation rentals, airports, buses, trains, summer camps, and even movie theaters—finding their way into luggage and eventually into homes.
According to Orkin's latest annual Bed Bug Cities Report, several U.S. cities continue to experience significant bed bug activity, highlighting the importance of taking preventive measures whenever you travel. The rankings are based on locations where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments between May 2024 and May 2025.
Top 10 U.S. Cities with the Highest Bed Bug Activity
| Rank | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH |
| 3 | Detroit, MI |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN |
| 6 | Washington, DC |
| 7 | Grand Rapids, MI |
| 8 | Columbus, OH |
| 9 | Champaign, IL |
| 10 | Milwaukee, WI |
These rankings don't necessarily mean these cities are unsafe to visit. Instead, they remind travelers that bed bugs can be found virtually anywhere people frequently stay overnight. High-travel destinations naturally experience greater opportunities for bed bugs to spread.
Why Summer Is Prime Bed Bug Season
Unlike mosquitoes or ants, bed bugs don't depend on warm weather to survive. Instead, they depend on people.
Summer creates the perfect conditions for bed bug movement because:
- Families take vacations.
- Children attend overnight camps.
- Students move into dormitories.
- Business travel increases.
- Hotels experience higher occupancy.
- Vacation rentals have frequent guest turnover.
Every suitcase, backpack, duffel bag, sleeping bag, or laundry basket becomes a potential vehicle for transporting bed bugs from one location to another.
Summer Camps Can Increase Your Risk
Overnight camps are wonderful experiences for children—but they also involve shared cabins, bunk beds, mattresses, luggage storage areas, and close living quarters.
Before campers return home:
- Inspect sleeping bags.
- Check backpacks and duffel bags.
- Wash all clothing immediately.
- Dry everything on the highest heat setting recommended by the fabric.
- Vacuum luggage before storing it.
These simple precautions can dramatically reduce the chances of introducing bed bugs into your home.
How to Protect Yourself While Traveling
Whether you're staying at a luxury resort or a roadside motel, a quick inspection can save weeks of frustration later.
Before You Unpack
Inspect:
- Mattress seams
- Box springs
- Headboards
- Bed frames
- Upholstered furniture
- Nightstands
- Behind picture frames
Look for:
- Live bed bugs
- Tiny white eggs
- Dark fecal spots
- Shed skins
Avoid placing luggage directly on beds or carpet. Instead, use the luggage rack away from the wall.
What To Do When You Return Home
Many infestations begin because travelers unpack immediately after arriving home.
Instead:
- Leave luggage in a garage or laundry room if possible.
- Wash all clothing—even unworn items.
- Dry clothing on high heat for at least 30 minutes (following garment care instructions).
- Vacuum and spray inside luggage thoroughly.
- Inspect shoes, backpacks, and toiletry bags before storing them.
These steps help stop hitchhiking bed bugs before they spread.
Common Places Bed Bugs Hide
Bed bugs are experts at staying out of sight.
Common hiding places include:
- Mattress seams
- Box springs
- Headboards
- Bed frames
- Upholstered furniture
- Recliners
- Couch cushions
- Curtains
- Luggage
- Backpacks
- Sleeping bags
- Cracks along baseboards
- Electrical outlets
- Behind wall décor
Signs You May Have Bed Bugs
Watch for:
- Small itchy bites appearing overnight
- Tiny blood spots on sheets
- Dark pepper-like stains on mattresses
- Shed skins
- Live reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed
Early detection makes treatment much easier.
Prevention Is Always Easier Than Elimination
Bed bugs reproduce quickly, making early prevention your best defense. Whether you're returning from a family vacation, a summer camp, or a weekend getaway, taking a few extra minutes to inspect and clean your belongings can prevent a much larger problem later.
Hygea Natural recommends making travel inspections part of every trip. A simple luggage check today can save thousands of dollars in treatment costs tomorrow.
Keep Bed Bugs From Coming Home
Travel should leave you with unforgettable memories—not unwanted pests.
Before your next trip:
- Inspect hotel rooms before unpacking.
- Keep luggage off beds.
- Check summer camp gear before bringing it inside.
- Wash and heat-dry clothing after travel.
- Inspect luggage before storing it.
A few minutes of prevention can help keep your family—and your home—bed bug free all summer long.
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