Bed bugs remain a major problem in several Ohio cities, at least according to data from Terminix and Orkin.
Both companies had six Ohio cities in their top 50 bed bug hotspots, making Ohio the most represented state on the lists. But the rankings differ significantly based on the order of which Ohio cities have the biggest bed bug problems.
Here's how Ohio's worst cities compare.
Terminix says Cincinnati is Ohio's worst bed bug city
Terminix has six Ohio entries in its top 50, with Cincinnati ranked the second-worst city on the list for bed bug infestations, only behind Philadelphia.
- Cincinnati (No. 2)
- Cleveland (No. 5)
- Columbus (No. 13)
- Toledo (No. 21)
- Dayton (No. 26)
- Youngstown (No. 46)
Orkin puts Cleveland at the top in Ohio
In Orkin's list, Cleveland was ranked the worst city in the state for bed bug problems and the fourth-worst on the list overall.
- Cleveland (No. 4)
- Columbus (No. 8)
- Cincinnati (No. 15)
- Youngstown (No. 32)
- Dayton (No. 38)
- Toledo (No. 42)
Only Los Angeles, Detroit and Chicago ranked higher, with the windy city taking the highest
ranking for the sixth consecutive year.
Why Terminix and Orkin rank cities differently
Instead of measuring all infestations nationwide, the two companies ranked the cities based on their own treatment or service-visit data.
Terminix says its list is based on "the number of bed bug service visits active Rentokil Terminix customers received in 2025," and includes a caveat that Rentokil does not operate Terminix branches in all states.
Meanwhile, Orkin says its rankings are based on the metro areas where it performed the most residential and commercial bed bug treatments from May 12, 2025, through May 12, 2026.
While both companies used their own treatment data rather than a nationwide count of infestations, the rankings point to the same conclusion: Ohio remains one of the nation's biggest bed bug hotspots, with six cities appearing on each company's top-50 list.
How to avoid bringing bed bugs home
Both companies say travelers can reduce the risk of bringing home bed bugs by inspecting hotel rooms before unpacking, keeping luggage off beds and heat-drying clothing after returning home.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Which Ohio city has the worst bed bug problem? Terminix and Orkin disagree
