Bed Bugs Are Most Active Right Now—These Tips Will Help You Avoid Them

Bed bugs can be a persistent pest with the potential to appear in your home year-round, but did you know there are certain months when bed bugs are most active? These biting pests pop up the most from June to October—so bed bug season is officially upon us. 

Studies show that many people in the U.S. don’t have the proper knowledge of bed bugs. This is troublesome because bed bug infestations can become a larger issue if not noticed and treated right away. 

Below, we're revealing where bed bugs are most active this year, how to tell if you have bed bugs, and the best ways to protect yourself.

Where Bed Bugs Are Most Active in 2025

In 2025, nationwide pest control company Orkin pulled data from all across major cities in the U.S. to see where the most bed bug control services occurred. The city that ranked number one was Chicago. Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Indianapolis made up the rest of the top five cities.

“Bed bugs are some of the most resilient pests in the world, making them extremely difficult to control if brought into a home or hotel,” said Orkin entomologist Ben Hottel in a press release. “As summer travel picks up, it is critical that people know the best ways to identify, prevent and control these pests.” 

Traveling Pests

If you live in a crowded urban area, especially one that sees a lot of foot traffic and tourists, you’re more likely to be at risk of a bed bug infestation. That’s because bed bugs are traveling pests—they hop on people’s clothes or even on used furniture and take a ride to a new location.

The same thing applies if you're in an apartment and one of your neighbors has bed bugs. They can quickly spread from unit to unit, making eliminating an infestation more difficult (but still possible!). these pests also pop up more in the warmer months, making the summer months their time to shine.

Spotting Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, but they're small, and not more than a few centimeters long. You can recognize them by their round bodies, brown color, and small heads. It’s important to note that bed bugs will change size after they’ve eaten, which can make them look long and red.

True to their name, bed bugs love to congregate on mattresses. They’ll likely be in sheets or under them, on and under mattresses, and possibly inside of them, too. When you sleep, look out for bites on your exposed skin.

According to Orkin, you could also see bed bug excrement on your sheets and mattress, too. These little black stains, which Orkin says look like ink, are signs of an infestation.

How to Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation

Here are a few steps you can take to prevent any infestations in your home.

Start with Your Mattress and Sheets

Using a pest-resistant mattress protector and sheets can help prevent bed bugs from choosing your mattress as their new abode. It’s also important to keep your mattress off the ground, so a raised bed frame is a must if you don’t already have one.

If you live in an area especially vulnerable to bed bugs, consider regularly checking your mattress thoroughly to avoid any possibility of an infestation. You might even want to look into getting a mattress vacuum.

Keep Your Home Clean

Contrary to popular belief, a bed bug infestation can happen to anyone, even people who have spotless homes—so there’s no reason to be ashamed of an infestation. But keeping your home clean can make it easier for you to spot bed bugs, and will also provide them with fewer hiding spots. 

Vacuums won’t stop a major bed bug infestation, but they can kill stray bugs. Keeping your home clean means you’ll likely find it before it can cause a full-blown infestation. Carefully vacuum rugs, carpets, your mattresses, and other upholstered furniture.

Wash and Dry Clothes, Sheets, and Other Linens on High Heat

According to Orkin, the most effective way to kill bed bugs is to dry your clothes and sheets on high heat. Most residential dryers will be hot enough to kill bed bugs—you’ll need to dry your items for a minimum of 30 minutes at 113°F, which should be the hottest setting on your dryer. This will kill bed bugs and any eggs they've laid. Orkin recommends playing it safe with 30 to 45 minutes at the highest heat setting.

If you thrift or buy used items, always dry them on high heat to kill bugs before using them. If you're concerned about potential bugs, avoid purchasing upholstered furniture, as these pieces can’t be heat-treated at home and may harbor bed bugs.

Be Cautious When Traveling

Check hotels thoroughly for signs of bed bugs before unpacking your items; Orkin recommends keeping your luggage off the ground until you've confirmed your hotel room is free of pests. If you’re worried after being in a crowded place like an airport, dry your clothes and other exposed belongings on high heat once you reach home.