Don’t let bed bugs crash your vacation: CFAES tackles the threat in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — They crawl out at night, feast on you while you sleep, and can easily stow away in your luggage. So, if you’re traveling this summer, you could potentially bring home more than just souvenirs.

With four Ohio cities ranked among the top 15 most bed bug-infested metro areas in the country — and peak vacation season underway — experts at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) are urging travelers to stay alert and take simple steps to prevent unwanted pests.

The Cleveland-Akron-Canton area was ranked third on Terminix’s latest list of the top 50 bed bug-infested metro areas last month, with Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati also making the top 15. Researchers say the risk is especially high now, as bed bugs spread easily through travel, secondhand items and high-density housing.

“Travel amplifies the risk,” said Seun Oladipupo, assistant professor of urban entomology at CFAES. “And with Ohio surrounded by other high-ranking states, it’s easy for infestations to move across state lines undetected.”

Before settling into hotel rooms or rental properties, travelers should inspect mattress seams and furniture crevices for rust-colored stains or shed skins. Luggage should be kept off beds and floors, and once home, clothing should be dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes to kill any hitchhiking bed bugs.

These travel tips are just one part of a broader effort.

CFAES researchers are leading critical initiatives to break the cycle of infestation and to protect Ohio’s public health, housing and economy.

“Ohio’s vulnerability to bed bugs stems not just from interstate travel, but from deeper, structural issues,” Oladipupo said. “The state’s high rates of spatial inequality and socioeconomic marginalization create fertile ground for bed bug persistence — especially in densely populated urban areas.”

Oladipupo’s lab at CFAES is addressing the problem on several fronts: pioneering molecular research into bed bug biology; studying their microbiomes for potential control strategies; and examining how poverty, segregation and housing conditions contribute to infestations.

“This isn’t just about killing bugs,” he said. “It’s about protecting public health, stabilizing neighborhoods and restoring confidence in our housing systems. Bed bugs threaten urban health, drag down property values and undermine tourism. It’s not just a nuisance; it’s a public health and economic crisis.”

The hidden costs of infestation

Beyond the discomfort of bites, bed bugs disrupt sleep, trigger allergic reactions and contribute to stress — especially for vulnerable populations. In low-income areas, where professional treatment can cost $2,500 or more, many residents can’t afford to respond quickly.

“Bed bugs reproduce rapidly and can survive more than two months without feeding,” Oladipupo said. “In multi-unit housing, nearly half of infestations go undetected, creating persistent hotspots and long-term risk.”

If left unaddressed, infestations can hurt housing markets, damage Ohio’s tourism reputation, and increase pressure on health care systems. That’s why CFAES is combining research and community outreach to deliver integrated, sustainable solutions.

Bridging science and service

With support from Ohio State’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and other grants, Oladipupo’s team is mapping infestation trends in Columbus neighborhoods and developing educational materials tailored to affected communities.

Much of the outreach is delivered through Ohio State University Extension — CFAES’ outreach arm — which connects university research with Ohioans in need. In May, CFAES distributed hundreds of The Bed Bug Threat fact sheets at the COSI Science Festival. The materials, now being translated into Spanish and Somali, offer practical advice on prevention and detection.

“Education is one of our strongest tools,” Oladipupo said. “Through CFAES webinars and science cafes, we’re training pest professionals and engaging residents face-to-face. These programs build trust — and that’s essential in any public health effort.”

Early detection is key to successfully exterminating bed bugs before they become established. That’s why passive monitoring is essential, especially when people travel and return home.

“Bed bugs are predictable; humans are not,” Oladipupo said. “After feeding, bed bugs defecate because the meal distends their abdomen. They need to shed some of that volume to fit back into crevices and cracks, which are their usual hiding spots.”

Travelers and homeowners alike should remain vigilant for signs of bed bug feces — essentially undigested blood. The stains are dark and rust-colored or black and are typically about the size of a dot from a marker. Spotting these early can make all the difference in preventing a full-blown infestation.

Oladipupo’s lab is also exploring the biological systems of bed bugs for sustainable pest control alternatives that offer longer term solutions. Researchers are studying how factors like income, building design and social infrastructure influence the spread and persistence of infestations.

“Our lab is looking at everything from bed bug microbiomes to social drivers,” Oladipupo said. “We’re trying to understand not just where bed bugs are coming from, but why some communities can’t eliminate them.”

From laboratory research to grassroots engagement, CFAES is at the forefront of Ohio’s response to a growing urban pest problem. By aligning science with service, the college is building a foundation for long-term solutions that target the root causes of infestation.

“Left unaddressed, bed bugs can devastate communities and burden entire systems,” Oladipupo said. “Our research is about more than pest control—it’s about building resilient communities.”

For more information or to access free prevention tools, visit u.osu.edu/bedbugs or email bedbugs@osu.edu.