In Arkansas, several cities have been grappling with a significant bed bug invasion, reflecting a growing statewide challenge. Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on human blood, typically at night, leaving itchy bite marks and causing considerable discomfort. Although they do not transmit diseases, their infestation can lead to sleep disruption, stress, and costly extermination efforts.
Among the Arkansas cities hit hardest by this bed bug onslaught are Fayetteville, Springdale, Fort Smith, Bentonville, and Rogers. Fayetteville has been ranked the number one city for bed bug infestations in Northwest Arkansas, followed closely by Springdale and Fort Smith. Bentonville and Rogers also make the top five in terms of infestation rates. These rankings come from pest control treatment data collected in 2023, reflecting where commercial and residential bed bug interventions have been most frequently needed.
This surge in infestations correlates with increased travel and economic growth in these urban areas. For example, the Northwest Arkansas National Airport recorded over a million enplanements in a recent 12-month period, contributing to the spread as travelers can inadvertently bring bed bugs in luggage and belongings. Notably, bed bugs are not linked to cleanliness; even the cleanest homes and hotels are vulnerable to infestations.
The bed bug problem extends beyond these top five cities, affecting other places in Arkansas such as Little Rock and Pine Bluff, both of which have experienced notable bed bug activity. Little Rock, the state’s capital with its busy urban environment, and Pine Bluff have found themselves on national lists of big bed bug infestation hotspots. These infestations are commonly found in homes, hotels, offices, restaurants, and museums, places with high human traffic.
Combating this infestation requires constant vigilance, public awareness, and professional pest control efforts. Best practices include inspecting hotel rooms, especially mattress seams and headboards, keeping luggage off floors and beds, and laundering clothes at high heat after travel to kill any hitchhiking bed bugs. For those facing infestations at home, consulting with professional exterminators is crucial due to the pests’ notorious resilience and ability to hide in tiny cracks and crevices.
Arkansas cities are striving to manage this growing problem through aggressive pest treatment, public education on prevention, and increased cooperation between homeowners and pest control services. The bed bug invasion underscores a broader urban challenge linked to population growth, mobility, and the persistence of these difficult-to-eradicate pests.
Sources
[1] https://www.naturalstatepestcontrol.com/blog/2023/april/fayetteville-ranks-no-1-for-bed-bug-infestations/
[2] https://kkyr.com/arkansas-texas-cities-bed-bugs/
[3] https://www.orkin.com/press-room/worst-cities-for-bed-bugs-annual-rankings
[4] https://www.mypmp.net/top-50-most-bed-bug-infested-cities-in-the-u-s-revealed-by-terminix/
[5] https://www.lajaunies.com/blog/americas-most-bed-bug-infested-cities/
