Columbus among most bedbug-infested cities in the country, recent analysis finds
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A pest control company has released a ranking of the 50 most bedbug-infested cities in the United States, and Columbus ranked high on the list.
Terminix examined service data from its more than 300 branches nationwide to find which cities received the most treatments for the pest in 2024. The company said it found a notable surge in bedbug activity across the country, fueled 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.
In order to avoid being bitten by bedbugs while traveling, Terminix recommends people check for small, rust-colored stains, skin sheds and live bedbugs on mattress seams, headboards and nearby furniture before settling into their room. Bedbugs are flat, wingless insects that are about the size of an apple seed and are typically reddish-brown in color.
When arriving back home from a trip, the company recommends travelers unpack on a hard surface away from their bed, place their clothes in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes before washing them, and vacuuming the inside of their suitcase to avoid bringing the insect into their home.
If a resident finds bedbugs in their house, Terminix recommends they avoid moving items near the infestation between rooms and contact 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 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.