Tampa Ranks as Florida’s Most Bed Bug-Infested City in the latest Terminix ranking based on 2025 bed bug service visits. Tampa landed at No. 22 nationally, making it the highest-ranked Florida metro on the list. Orlando followed at No. 29. No Florida city cracked the national Top 10, but the ranking still puts two major Sunshine State travel destinations among the 50 metro areas where Terminix recorded the most bed bug service activity last year.
Tampa Ranks No. 22 Nationwide
The latest Terminix bed bug ranking places Philadelphia first nationally, followed by Cincinnati, New York, Detroit and Cleveland-Akron. Tampa appears at No. 22, the highest position for any Florida metro included in the Top 50. Orlando comes in seven places lower at No. 29. The list is based on the number of bed bug service visits received by active Rentokil-owned Terminix customers during 2025. That distinction matters because the ranking is not a direct count of every bed bug or infestation in a city.
Florida Avoided the National Top 10
A new ClickOrlando report highlighted Tampa as Florida’s highest-ranked metro while noting that no Florida location made the national Top 10. Philadelphia held the No. 1 position for the second year in a row, while Cincinnati jumped into second place. New York ranked third, Detroit fourth and Cleveland fifth. Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, Nashville and Charleston rounded out the Top 10.
Why Tampa and Orlando Make Sense as Bed Bug Hotspots
Bed bugs spread primarily by hitchhiking with people and their belongings. Florida’s tourism-heavy cities have a constant flow of luggage, hotel guests, rental stays and household moves, all of which create opportunities for bed bugs to travel from one location to another. That does not mean hotels or rentals in Tampa and Orlando are unusually dirty. Bed bugs are not a cleanliness problem. They can appear in high-end hotels, apartments, dorms, homes and other places where people sleep.
Travel Plays a Major Role
The CDC’s bed bug guidance explains that bed bugs can hide in the seams and folds of luggage, clothing, bedding, furniture and other belongings. Frequent travelers face greater exposure risk simply because they spend more time in shared sleeping spaces and move belongings between locations. Florida’s year-round tourism makes that especially relevant. Tampa hosts major conventions, cruises, sporting events and beach travel, while Orlando remains one of the country’s busiest family travel destinations.
What the Ranking Does Not Mean
The phrase “most bed bug-infested city” can sound more precise than the underlying data really are. Terminix is measuring service visits among its own customer base and branch network. A metro with more Terminix customers, greater awareness or more people willing to pay for professional treatment could rank higher even if another city has similar or greater actual bed bug prevalence. The company itself notes that it does not operate Terminix branches in every state. The ranking is therefore best treated as a service-demand indicator, not a scientific census.
What Travelers Should Check
Travelers can reduce the chance of bringing bed bugs home by inspecting sleeping areas before unpacking. Mattress seams, headboards, box springs and upholstered furniture are common hiding locations. Small rust-colored stains, shed skins or live insects can be warning signs. Luggage should be kept away from beds while the room is inspected. After returning home, clothing that can tolerate heat can be placed in a dryer on high heat, and suitcases can be inspected before storage.
Bed Bugs Are Hard to Eliminate Once Established
Bed bugs are small, excellent at hiding and capable of surviving for months without feeding. They can squeeze into cracks around bed frames, baseboards and furniture where they are difficult to reach. That is why infestations can persist even when a room looks clean. PestMarket’s Pest Control Guide covers additional household pest prevention and treatment considerations.
Tampa’s Ranking Is a Reminder for Florida Travelers
Tampa’s No. 22 national position is not evidence that every hotel, apartment or neighborhood in the metro has a bed bug problem. It does show that Terminix recorded more bed bug service activity there than anywhere else in Florida during the measured period. Orlando’s No. 29 ranking reinforces the travel connection, with both metros seeing large numbers of visitors moving through hotels, rentals and shared spaces throughout the year. For Florida residents and travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: bed bugs can travel anywhere people do, and a quick inspection before unpacking can reduce the chance of bringing them home.