Feeling itchy? Ohio leads nation with 6 cities on Orkin’s 2026 bed bug list

• Columbus ranked eighth on Orkin’s 2026 list of U.S. cities with the most bed bug treatments.
• Ohio had more cities in the top 50 than any other state, with six making the list.
• Recent bed bug sightings were reported in downtown Columbus government offices.

Columbus remains one of the nation’s top cities for bed bug treatments, according to Orkin’s latest annual rankings, while Ohio continues to dominate the list more than any other state.

Orkin ranked Columbus eighth on its 2026 list of U.S. cities with the most bed bug treatments, the same position the city held last year. Cleveland ranked even higher at No. 4. Cincinnati came in at No. 15.

Overall, six Ohio cities made the Top 50, more than any other state: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Youngstown, Dayton and Toledo. The rankings are based on residential and commercial bed bug treatments Orkin performed between May 2025 and May 2026.

Chicago claimed the top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and Indianapolis.

Ohio continues to rank high for bed bugs

Ohio’s strong showing on the list comes as the state has repeatedly appeared near the top of national pest rankings.

A recent USA TODAY report, citing an analysis by Casino.ca, estimated Ohio has the second-highest bed bug risk for travelers in the country, behind only Michigan.

The Orkin rankings do not measure the total number of bed bugs in a city. Instead, they reflect where the company performed the greatest number of residential and commercial treatments over the past year.

Columbus has dealt with bed bug sightings before

The rankings also follow several high-profile bed bug incidents in downtown Columbus government offices.

Last fall, The Dispatch reported a bed bug was discovered inside the Ohio Department of Medicaid’s downtown office, prompting treatment of the affected area.

The Dispatch also reported that employees at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation had reported bed bug sightings, leading to inspections and pest-control efforts.

Those incidents highlighted the challenges large office buildings face when dealing with pests that can hitch rides on clothing, backpacks and luggage rather than originating inside the buildings themselves.

It’s not just bed bugs

Bed bugs aren’t the only pests putting Columbus on Orkin’s radar.

In October 2025, Orkin ranked Columbus No. 21 on its annual “Rattiest Cities” list, a slight improvement from previous years but still among the nation’s leading metro areas for rodent treatments.

Taken together, the rankings suggest central Ohio remains a busy market for pest-control companies as the city holds steady on this year’s bed bug list.

Which Ohio cities made Orkin’s 2026 list?

Among Ohio cities, the rankings were:

• Cleveland– No. 4
• Columbus– No. 8
• Cincinnati– No. 15
• Youngstown– No. 32
• Dayton– No. 38
• Toledo– No. 42

Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.