Terminix has released its latest report highlighting which areas of the country have the worst bedbug problems — including right here in Florida.
Researchers said the study was put together using data from over 300 Terminix branches across the country, looking at which places saw the most issues with bedbugs.
According to the study, some of the states that appeared the most on the list include places like Ohio, and Pennsylvania, with a couple of cities in the top 50 even appearing in the Sunshine State.
“Philadelphia, Cincinnati, New York, Detroit, and Cleveland-Akron are ranked the top five cities with the most bed bugs, based on the number of bed bug service visits active Rentokil Terminix customers received in 2025,” the report reads. “Philadelphia held the top bed bug city spot for a second year in a row, while Detroit moved up in the rankings from last year.”
[BACK TO 2019: Family claims bedbugs ruined their vacation in Central Florida]
Fortunately for Florida, none of its cities managed to even crack the top 10.
Instead, the highest-ranked city turned out to be the Tampa metro area at No. 22.
Meanwhile, the top 50 cities included in the ranking were as follows:
| Rank | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | PA |
| 2 | Cincinnati | OH |
| 3 | New York | NY |
| 4 | Detroit | MI |
| 5 | Cleveland | OH |
| 6 | Chicago | IL |
| 7 | Atlanta | GA |
| 8 | Washington | DC |
| 9 | Nashville | TN |
| 10 | Charleston | WV |
| 11 | Dallas | TX |
| 12 | Little Rock | AR |
| 13 | Columbus | OH |
| 14 | Indianapolis | IN |
| 15 | Baltimore | MD |
| 16 | Boston | MA |
| 17 | Pittsburgh | PA |
| 18 | Houston | TX |
| 19 | Memphis | TN |
| 20 | Cape Girardeau | MO |
| 21 | Toledo | OH |
| 22 | Tampa | FL |
| 23 | Denver | CO |
| 24 | Los Angeles | CA |
| 25 | Kansas City | MO |
| 26 | Dayton | OH |
| 27 | Oklahoma City | OK |
| 28 | Lexington | KY |
| 29 | Orlando | FL |
| 30 | Tulsa | OK |
| 31 | Grand Rapids | MI |
| 32 | Harrisburg | PA |
| 33 | Louisville | KY |
| 34 | Milwaukee | WI |
| 35 | Wilkes-Barre | PA |
| 36 | Jackson | MS |
| 37 | Springfield | IL |
| 38 | Birmingham | AL |
| 39 | San Francisco | CA |
| 40 | Flint | MI |
| 41 | Springfield | MO |
| 42 | Fayetteville | AR |
| 43 | Shreveport | LA |
| 44 | Tyler | TX |
| 45 | South Bend | IN |
| 46 | Youngstown | OH |
| 47 | Hartford | CT |
| 48 | Johnstown | PA |
| 49 | Salisbury | MD |
| 50 | Wichita | KS |
To avoid unwanted infestations, Terminix provides the following tips and tricks:
- Before settling into a hotel or rental:
-
- Inspect the mattress seams, headboard, and nearby furniture for small, rust-colored stains, shed skins, or live bed bugs. Adult bed bugs are around the size of an apple seed, so be sure to examine closely, as they can be easy to miss.
- Use a flashlight (your phone works) to check deep crevices, folds, and corners.
- Look for evidence around nightstands, the edges of chairs or sofas, and in drawer joints.
- Avoid placing your luggage on the bed or floor while you inspect the room.
- While traveling:
-
- Keep your suitcase zipped and consider storing it in a large, sealed plastic bag when not in use.
- When you return home, unpack on a hard surface (not the carpet or your bed) and away from your bedroom (exterior or garage), so you can easily spot any unwanted hitchhikers and not introduce them into sleeping areas.
- Place your clothing in the dryer before washing it. Thirty minutes on high heat should help eliminate any live bed bugs or eggs before you wash them. If you cannot place certain items in the dryer, steam cleaning can also help kill bed bugs.
- Vacuum your suitcase inside and out before storing it, preferably in a space far away from sleeping areas.