Health officials across California are raising concerns as five of the state’s largest cities — Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Fresno, and Sacramento — report a sharp rise in bed bug infestations, fueled by heavy travel activity and crowded housing conditions.
These blood-feeding pests hide inside mattresses, furniture, and clothing, emerging at night to bite sleeping residents. While they don’t spread disease, officials warn the bites can cause severe skin irritation, allergic reactions, and growing anxiety among affected households.
Los Angeles remains the hardest hit, ranking among the worst-affected cities nationwide due to its massive population and constant flow of international travelers through its airports. City authorities have ordered stricter inspections at hotels and rental properties, and landlords are now required to disclose past infestations to incoming tenants.
In San Francisco, densely packed apartment buildings are allowing the pests to spread rapidly between units. Local rules now force landlords to report and treat infestations quickly, while city-backed programs teach residents how to catch early warning signs.
San Diego has taken a prevention-first approach, running awareness campaigns in schools and workplaces to help people identify bed bugs before infestations spiral. The city has also deployed rapid-response pest teams near its port and convention areas.
Fresno officials are focused on lower-income neighborhoods, offering free or subsidized pest control to households that can’t afford private treatment, while organizing community clean-up efforts to remove potential hiding spots.
Sacramento has introduced some of the strictest enforcement in the state, mandating licensed exterminators for confirmed cases and conducting regular audits of hotels and motels.
State health officials say non-chemical treatments, including heat therapy, are becoming more common as cities push for long-term solutions. Residents are urged to inspect secondhand furniture, use bed leg interceptors, and wash linens in hot water to reduce risk. As of March 2026, officials say the situation remains serious, but early intervention is helping slow the spread.
