How common are bed bugs in 2025?

Bed bugs remain very common in 2025, with pest control companies reporting significant activity, potential booms due to travel and warm weather, and rising searches for extermination services, indicating a persistent and widespread issue, especially in major U.S. cities like Chicago and New York. While some cities see temporary drops, the overall trend points to continued prevalence, making early detection crucial for travelers and homeowners alike.

Are bed bugs still a problem in 2025?

Rentokil is predicting a bed bug boom for 2025. If they're right we face a shocking rise of 67% year-on-year thanks to increasingly warm weather.

What is the number one state for bed bugs?

The results reveal a notable surge in bed bug activity, with cities across Ohio, Texas, Florida, California and Pennsylvania dominating the list, suggesting regional trends in infestations are likely tied to climate, housing trends and travel hubs.

Are bed bugs becoming more common?

Between 1972 (bed bugs' reintroduction to the US) and 2004 bed bugs grew in population around 400% according to estimates. Between 2011 and 2015 population grew over 10000%. Long story short is it takes time for the bugs to spread everywhere, but they're getting there and they're getting there fast.

What city has the worst bed bugs?

For the fifth year in a row, Chicago topped Orkin's 2025 list of the most bed bug-infested cities in the U.S., followed by Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Indianapolis, with these rankings based on professional pest control treatment data from mid-2024 to mid-2025, highlighting persistent hotspots in the Midwest and other major travel hubs.
 

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What month are bed bugs most active?

Bed bugs are active year-round but are most prevalent from late spring through fall (roughly June to October/November) due to increased summer travel, which helps them spread easily via luggage and hotels, and warmer temperatures that boost their metabolism and activity, peaking around August/September.
 

Can bedbugs survive a washing machine?

Yes, bed bugs can survive a washing machine if the water isn't hot enough (below 120°F/49°C), but hot water washes (140°F/60°C+) and especially high-heat drying (over 122°F/50°C for 20+ mins) are highly effective at killing them and their eggs, making the dryer the most crucial step for eradication. The key is high heat; cool or lukewarm water is ineffective, and while washing dislodges many, the dryer finishes them off, so always use the hottest settings and dry thoroughly. 

What keeps bed bugs away?

Bed bugs are repelled by strong scents like lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils, extreme heat, and slippery surfaces, with diatomaceous earth acting as a powerful dehydrating killer. While these natural deterrents and DIY methods (like interceptors under furniture legs) can help prevent or manage minor issues, professional extermination is usually needed for established infestations.
 

Why shouldn't you smash bed bugs?

You should not squish bed bugs because it spreads their eggs, larvae, blood, and waste, making the infestation worse and harder to control, while also creating stains and unpleasant odors that attract more bugs, and potentially causing skin irritation or allergic reactions from the bodily fluids. Crushing them doesn't solve the problem; it just spreads the infestation and the mess, whereas proper removal involves thorough cleaning, heat treatment (like hot dryers or steamers), and professional extermination.
 

Can you feel bed bugs crawling on you?

Yes, you can feel bed bugs crawling on you, especially if you're awake and they're on sensitive skin like palms or hairy areas, but many people don't notice them because they're tiny, move silently, and inject an anesthetic when biting, so the first sign is often itchy welts appearing later, not the crawling itself. Some people experience phantom crawling sensations due to anxiety, while others with very sensitive skin or those noticing multiple bugs might feel them.
 

What smell do bed bugs hate?

Bed bugs hate strong, pungent smells from essential oils like tea tree, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, as well as scents from blood orange oil, lemon juice, and even strong smells like rubbing alcohol, which can deter them or kill them on contact by dehydrating them. While these scents can help repel them as a preventative measure, a professional pest control service is usually needed for full elimination, as bed bugs are primarily guided by their need for blood.
 

Will bed bugs go extinct?

Despite being nearly eradicated in developed countries after World War II, infestations have increased since the 1990s and bed bugs are now relatively common in all regions of the globe.

What is the number one cause of bed bugs?

The most common cause of bed bugs is travel, as they are expert hitchhikers that latch onto luggage, clothing, and personal belongings, transporting them from infested places like hotels, dorms, and public transport to homes. They also spread through secondhand furniture (especially mattresses) and can move between nearby apartments via shared walls or pipes. Bed bugs aren't caused by dirt or poor hygiene, but by human movement and activity.
 

What kills bedbugs instantly?

High heat (steam, hot dryer), extreme cold (freezer), steam cleaning, rubbing alcohol, diatomaceous earth, and certain insecticides kill bed bugs instantly or on contact by destroying their exoskeletons or dehydrating them; professional heat treatments are also highly effective for whole-room eradication.
 

Do bedbugs wash off in the shower?

Showering can wash bed bugs off your skin and down the drain, but it won't eliminate an infestation because they hide in furniture, mattresses, and cracks, not usually on you for long; you need thorough cleaning, high heat (dryer), pest control, and careful inspection of your home for a real solution.
 

How likely is it to get bedbugs from a hotel?

Bed bugs are a common issue in hotels, with many pest control companies reporting treating them in a large percentage of hotels annually, though the actual risk to any single traveler is lower and varies by location and hotel type. While they can infest any establishment, from budget to luxury, high-turnover business hotels are particularly susceptible, and awareness and preventative checks are key to avoiding them, as they easily travel in luggage. 

How did they get rid of bed bugs in the old days?

In the old days, people fought bed bugs with a mix of harsh chemicals, intense physical labor, and clever traps, including fumigating rooms with sulfur or gunpowder, dousing bed frames with kerosene or grease, boiling bedding, using arsenic compounds, and creating barriers with ash or diatomaceous earth, though rigorous cleaning and detection were the most common practices, as shown in Red Coat Pest Solutions. 

Should I avoid someone who has bed bugs?

Bed bugs are not contagious in that they cannot be transmitted from person-to-person. However, bed bugs can hide and live in a person's bedding, clothing, luggage, and furniture. When these items enter a home or are transported to another area, they can transport the bed bugs with them.

Can bed bugs live in pillows?

Yes, bed bugs can absolutely live in pillows, hiding in the seams, fabric, and even inside, especially if there are tears; they are attracted to the warmth and proximity to their host, and you might find them alongside eggs, shed skins, dark droppings, and bloodstains on pillowcases, with the best way to kill them in the pillow being high heat from a dryer or steamer. 

Can bed bugs bite through clothing?

No, bed bugs cannot bite through clothing. They typically seek out exposed skin to feed on. However, if clothing is loose or thin, they may crawl under it to access the skin. Tight-fitting clothes can act as a mild deterrent during sleep, but they don't prevent bites entirely.

How to 100% get rid of bed bugs?

The high temperature of steam (near 212°F or 100°C) will kill bed bugs instantly. A recent study shows both consumer-grade and professional-grade steamers can effectively kill bed bugs (Wang et al. 2018). A small steam machine (such as HAAN steam cleaning sanitizer) only costs about $75 (Figure 5).

What material can bed bugs not crawl on?

Bed bugs cannot climb very smooth, slick surfaces like clean glass, polished metal, or smooth plastic, but they can easily grip fabrics, wood, and rougher textures, so barriers should be used on bed legs (like interceptor cups or petroleum jelly) to prevent them from reaching your bed. They avoid slippery materials because their tiny claws and hairs can't get a foothold.
 

How do professionals get rid of bed bugs?

The most common methods for getting rid of bed bugs are heat treatments, chemical treatments, and fogging treatments. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Can bed bugs live in electronics?

Yes, Bed Bugs Can Live in Electronics

While electronics aren't a primary nesting site, they can absolutely be used by bed bugs as harborage — especially in moderate to severe infestations. Devices that remain close to sleeping or resting areas and emit gentle heat are particularly attractive.

Do dryer sheets keep bed bugs away?

Myth. There is no scientific evidence to support the success of dryer sheets repelling bed bugs. Even if the scent of the dryer sheets does repulse bed bugs, they will often find a way around them to get to their food source.