# Traveling Soon? These Are the US Cities With the Worst Bed Bug Infestations

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-26 04:07 UTC · Category: Business

## Executive Summary
Recent reports identify the worst US cities for bed bug infestations, including one city holding the top rank for six consecutive years.

## Intelligence Brief
Current reports are highlighting the United States cities most severely affected by bed bug infestations, serving as a warning for those who are traveling soon. According to coverage from Travel + Leisure and People.com, one specific U.S. city has been declared the worst for bed bug infestations for the sixth year in a row. While the specific name of the top-ranked city is not detailed in the provided headlines, the trend emphasizes a persistent and long-term problem in a single urban center. This data is being distributed to travelers to help them prepare for potential encounters with these pests during their trips. Various regional and national outlets are focusing on the geographic distribution of these infestations. The Des Moines Register reports that two cities located in Iowa are now listed among the worst in the nation for bed bug outbreaks.


Additionally, NBC4 WCMH-TV is providing localized coverage specifically regarding where Columbus ranks within the list of the worst cities for these pests. MarthaStewart.com has also joined the coverage, framing the data as essential information for anyone planning upcoming travel across the United States. The reports collectively emphasize the ranking of cities based on the severity of their infestation problems. Contextually, this trend is significant because the top-ranked city has maintained its position as the worst in the country for six consecutive years. This indicates a systemic or long-term issue with pest control or urban environments in that specific location. The inclusion of multiple Iowa cities and the specific ranking of Columbus suggests that bed bug problems are not limited to a single region but are widespread across different states.


This creates a need for travelers to be aware of which destinations carry higher risks of infestations to avoid bringing pests back to their own homes. Looking forward, observers will be tracking whether any new cities enter the rankings or if the city currently ranked number one can finally improve its standing. Coverage will likely continue to monitor the specific rankings of cities like Columbus and the two affected Iowa cities to see if local interventions reduce the infestation rates. The focus remains on the updated lists of the worst cities in the U.S., as these rankings serve as a primary guide for travelers attempting to navigate the risks associated with bed bugs in various urban environments across the country.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Travel + Leisure | This City Has the Worst Bed Bug Problem in the U.S.—and It’s Ranked No. 1 for the Sixth Year in a Row | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxPV0pMX0lRc0lDR3ZSNC1ZOG9oS2hTSFZGMEJPak0tRkdFRGxMVUZHbjRGQmZDN055M2RzS2llTUhhSG1rTkNoM2dsQmYzbF8wMnBlbUNHcjk3VmVHRk93UWRpUDZqYzRlOVY3VU1qUks4c1otOG1EN19CakhnUUZuTjB5bVd0OU9OMk1TY3UtQ05uSGJmdFE?oc=5) |
| The Des Moines Register | Two Iowa cities are among the nation's worst for bed bug infestations | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi3wFBVV95cUxPQmg0bUpMaW1xcC1WS1M4V1pYa1VQN2Q2dUFTS3lSVUoyMjRmSGRUbGNINE9uWnd0czNuOUgtWThPbnFlOUlqaVVJN3lZeTlWWVZQT2hrRlBPUUFZS3ppQnJoTlJzLXRNdUdHbHNZS2hlLUI0OFdVTmZIYnNoZ1dzem5GRXM2T3hxdnN3U2E1aktQc2g1UEduVnJTV3pHY3FhbFJuMWh1NjN2N2U5ZHR4Tzd4V2FrN2F1cGxBcWdlWUlfcmphSlpHNUl0NHlqTmw0U0tNWGtXQ19jUm1LWVJZ?oc=5) |
| People.com | This U.S. City Was Just Declared the Worst for Bed Bug Infestations for the 6th Year in a Row | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirgFBVV95cUxPZW50b1FBNjhyQzZURGJmNm1wZmNWQlNyNERjcktPNTJtNnNtdTUyUl9MczRVQnVKUEYtdndaT3ZJcnBKVWNfSEdKczdqdXFWYzI5Ql9STGJ6NVBVVGFhNXhEWVFZdTdMNkZIMTROQ0NOdG0tRkEybEFCT2NEQ1BrcWpfTlNLcFFsM2NTMG1RdVFnOWh0QVppUGhuSm9yNnZaMnRaVnk0LW9wMDF5RFE?oc=5) |
| NBC4 WCMH-TV | Where Columbus ranks among worst cities for bed bugs | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwFBVV95cUxQbVRyZHFkRk5GcGpGZmtOX2FVOExNa1lUU3ZPeFBTSWFkd1FrSzE3eTl3NjRjMTZaeTJwSHB0YzJzN19kOTk1WjZrSUJXd1lILWtXbVBmN281OFExWF9MVEFnb2ZMb04zdVJvdUttSGpfYUtoWXNjUVRwYVA2blotZWpBVkJZYWPSAYwBQVVfeXFMTWZvVmp3RXZtblB4X3NyQ0FPVnV1SlNvZm1lU3VkSFVpelJvZkNURnpqRk50N1hMUGpqbjljdGVTd2NSeFBXXzlwN1VPR19WcllkNDU3VHptSW1BRnY4OGVkbVluZ1lsNTBlOUMxQ3BrRG9PRFNPQ1hSUmk5SVctZGtaX19oOTBJNjhPYTg?oc=5) |
| marthastewart.com | Traveling Soon? These Are the US Cities With the Worst Bed Bug Infestations | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxPQVBGdjFMeHF3SGkwTTlranRFd3ZiMndYYm1uQlVNTjRLZDA2NENwcVhkQWYwVUpDUndIQ1o4YzFyS3FMdHdfNFctNXZldjAtOWtJREI1cVgtdmxyOXNzdlBnSEJGMG0xS0pheEdlLUhKeG1xVWlETmVHbml5ak1UNmtRWERYb0I3bmRtN25R?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-26/traveling-soon-these-are-the-us-cities-with-the-worst-bed-bug-infestations*