Florida, known for its sunny weather and beautiful beaches, is facing a hidden problem that’s making its way into homes, hotels, and apartments across the state: a growing bed bug infestation. These tiny, pesky insects are causing trouble for both residents and businesses, and many Florida cities are scrambling to find solutions. Let’s take a look at five Florida cities battling the rise of bed bugs and the strategies they’re using to combat this nuisance.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Before diving into the strategies these cities are using, it’s important to understand what bed bugs are and why they’re such a problem. Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals, primarily at night. While they don’t spread diseases, their bites can lead to itching, allergic reactions, and anxiety. Because they hide in cracks, crevices, and bedding, they can be difficult to spot and even harder to get rid of once they’ve taken up residence in a home.
1. Miami: The Battle in the Big City
As one of the largest cities in Florida, Miami is no stranger to bed bug problems. The city’s warm, humid climate provides the perfect environment for these pests to thrive. Miami has seen a rise in infestations, particularly in apartment complexes, hotels, and multi-family housing units. With a high tourist population, bed bugs can easily hitch rides into the city from other areas.
To combat the growing infestation, Miami has ramped up efforts to educate residents about prevention. The city is also working closely with pest control companies to provide resources for extermination. The Miami-Dade County Health Department has been involved in spreading awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment. Public services have been focusing on helping vulnerable populations, such as those living in low-income housing, get access to professional pest control services.
2. Orlando: A Tourist Destination Fighting Bed Bugs
Orlando, another major Florida city known for its theme parks and tourist attractions, has been struggling with bed bugs in hotels, motels, and vacation rentals. The influx of visitors makes it easier for bed bugs to spread from one place to another, as tourists unknowingly bring the pests with them when traveling.
The city has been working on a multi-pronged approach to control the infestation. Orlando pest control companies are frequently called upon to inspect hotels and rental properties, ensuring they are free of bed bugs before new guests arrive. Orlando’s health department also provides education on identifying bed bugs and tips for travelers on how to avoid bringing the pests home after their stay. With an increasing number of complaints, the city is pushing for better training for hotel staff to recognize signs of an infestation early.
3. Tampa: Battling Bed Bugs in High-Rise Apartments
In Tampa, bed bugs are becoming a significant problem in apartment buildings, especially high-rise units. The city’s dense population and close living quarters make it easy for bed bugs to spread between units, especially when neighbors are unaware of their infestation.
Tampa has focused on educating residents about preventative measures, such as checking secondhand furniture before bringing it into the home and regularly cleaning and inspecting bedding. Local government agencies have partnered with pest control experts to offer low-cost treatments for residents who are struggling with infestations. Some buildings have introduced preventive measures like bed bug-proof mattress encasements to stop the bugs from settling in.
4. Jacksonville: Combating Bed Bugs in Public Housing
As the largest city in Florida by land area, Jacksonville is dealing with a growing number of bed bug cases, particularly in public housing. The city has taken action by improving its response systems, ensuring that infestations are handled quickly before they can spread to neighboring apartments or buildings.
Jacksonville’s housing authority has teamed up with pest control specialists to provide free inspections and treatments to low-income residents in public housing. Additionally, the city has been working to raise awareness through community outreach programs, educating tenants on how to spot bed bugs and take immediate action. There’s also an effort to clean and sanitize common areas to prevent the insects from hiding and spreading.
5. Fort Lauderdale: A City Struggling with Bed Bug Infestations
Fort Lauderdale, another popular Florida city, has also seen a rise in bed bug complaints, particularly in its densely populated urban areas. Bed bugs have been reported in both residential areas and local businesses. The city has begun taking steps to address this issue by working with pest control professionals and providing resources for residents and businesses.
Fort Lauderdale’s government is focusing on increasing awareness about bed bugs, especially in apartment complexes and rental properties. The city has started offering free education seminars for landlords and tenants about prevention and treatment options. They’ve also pushed for increased inspections and better cooperation between pest control services and local businesses to identify and eliminate infestations quickly.
How Florida Cities Are Fighting Back
The common strategies that Florida cities are using to combat the bed bug invasion include:
Education and Awareness: Many cities are focusing on educating residents, business owners, and tourists about how to identify and prevent bed bug infestations.
Inspection and Treatment Programs: Cities have been working with pest control companies to inspect homes, apartments, and hotels. Providing affordable or free treatment options to low-income residents is also a priority.
Public Outreach: Local governments have been collaborating with health departments to offer resources for detecting bed bugs and treating infestations early, preventing larger outbreaks.
Stronger Regulations: Some cities are pushing for stricter laws on reporting and handling bed bug infestations, especially in high-traffic areas like hotels, motels, and rental properties.
Bed bugs are a persistent problem across Florida, but cities like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale are taking proactive measures to combat the infestation. Through a combination of public education, increased pest control resources, and stronger regulations, these cities are working hard to address the growing bed bug issue. While the problem may not disappear overnight, these cities are making progress in the fight to protect both residents and visitors from the annoyance and health risks that come with these tiny but troublesome pests.
SOURCES
[1] https://www.clickorlando.com/news/florida/2025/06/19/this-florida-city-has-the-worst-bedbug-infestations-in-the-state-study-says/
[2] https://www.terminix.com/blog/whats-buzzing/top-bed-bug-cities/
[3] https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2025/06/23/as-bed-bugs-swarm-the-news-uf-ifas-experts-available-to-inform-about-prevention-treatments/
[4] https://thewrangler.com/insect-invasion-6-florida-cities-combatting-bed-bug-onslaught-2/2025/06/20/
[5] https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/most-bed-bug-infested-cities-where-these-fl-towns-rank
