SC has 2 of the worst cities in the US for bed bugs in 2026, Orkin says. Here’s where

Here’s the good news about bedbugs in Greenville. There were fewer calls to Orkin in the past year than the year before.

The bad news is the city is still on the list of 50 worst bed bug cities. No. 33 to be exact.

And there’s another South Carolina city added to this year’s list. It’s Myrtle Beach at No. 50, the first year the vacation mecca has been listed.

Orkin said Tampa and Myrtle Beach are “high growth vacation destinations.” Tampa also made the top 50 for the first time. The Gulf Coast city was No. 46.

Chicago has the highest rate of bed bug infestations once again, Orkin said, followed by Los Angeles (moved up two spots), Detroit, Cleveland (moved down two spots) and Indianapolis.

Ohio had the most cities on the list, with six. In addition to Cleveland, the list includes Columbus No. 8, Cincinnati 15, Youngstown 32, Dayton 38 and Toledo 42. Two North Carolina cities were listed — Raleigh 16 and Charlotte 27.

The rankings are based on where Orkin performed the most bed bug treatments from May 12, 2025, to May 12, 2026 at residential and commercial properties.

“While bed bugs can be found anywhere people live and travel, densely populated cities and environments with high resident and visitor turnover, such as apartments, dormitories and hotels, can create more opportunities for the pests to spread simply due to the movement of high numbers of people,” Orkin said in a news release.

Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist and national technical director said bed bugs are resilient and hide by flattening their bodies in cracks, crevices and personal belongings. They are oval-shaped, reddish brown and about the size of an apple seed.

“A quick inspection of hotels or short-term rentals while traveling, or belongings before unpacking at home, can help travelers reduce the chance of bringing bed bugs home,” Sked said.

Orkin has these tips to avoid bringing bed bugs home from vacation.

Search the room. Besides seeing them, a sign they are there are ink-like speckled stains on fabrics, shed exoskeletons around crevices of beds and furniture and a sweet, musty smell.

Put your luggage on racks.

Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and again when you return home.

Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for 30 to 45 minutes at the highest heat setting upon returning home.

Consumer Reports compiled a list of myths about bed bugs.

• They can’t live in foam mattresses (they can’t, but they can get into your bed frame).
• Bed bugs move around on more than just fabric — furniture for one — and they move around between rooms and apartment units.
• Bug sniffing dogs are not the end-all, be all. Make sure any dog you hire comes from the World Detector Dog Organization or the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association.
• You probably won’t need to throw away any of your items, unless the infestation is severe.
• A hair dryer can flush bed bugs from crevices, but probably won’t stick around long enough to be killed.

“Most over-the-counter products—including natural oils, cayenne pepper, and diatomaceous earth—won’t be effective at killing them,” Consumer Reports said.

This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 5:30 AM with the headline "SC has 2 of the worst cities in the US for bed bugs in 2026, Orkin says. Here’s where."