Michigan’s most significant cities are climbing the ranks on national bed bug lists, and not in a good way.
From Detroit to Grand Rapids, these pests are spreading quickly, especially in multi-unit housing and high-traffic hotels.
If you rent or work in the hospitality industry, you need to know how to spot an infestation, prevent it, and respond quickly when bed bugs show up.
Key Takeaways
- Detroit, Grand Rapids, and other Michigan cities are regularly ranked among the worst for bed bug outbreaks.
- Bed bugs travel easily by hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, and furniture.
- Infestations often go unnoticed until bed bug bites or other signs appear.
- Local pest control pros like Pest Pros of Michigan offer safe, effective treatments across metro areas.
Why Michigan Cities Keep Making the Bed Bug List
Each year, pest control companies like Orkin release a bed bug cities list. Detroit is almost always near the top. Grand Rapids has also joined the ranks in recent years, alongside cities like New York and Chicago.
Why is this happening? Metro areas with dense housing and high travel volumes give bed bugs more chances to spread. People unknowingly carry them between hotels, apartments, and homes.
Once they’re in a building, they crawl through walls, hitchhike on laundry carts, and settle into any place near a human food source.
What Bed Bugs Look Like and Where They Hide
These pests aren’t invisible, but they’re small and sneaky. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown and about the size of an apple seed.
You’ll find them in tight hiding spots like mattress seams, behind headboards, or tucked into the crevices of a bed frame or box spring. They can also hide under wallpaper, inside baseboards, or behind picture frames.
Since they feed at night, most people don’t notice them at first. The first clue often comes from bed bug bites: small, red, itchy welts that usually appear in a row or cluster.
How Bed Bugs Spread in Hotels and Rentals
Bed bugs don’t fly or jump, but they’re expert hitchhikers. If you stay at a hotel with an infestation, you could bring them home in your suitcase.
If your neighbor in a multi-unit building has them, they might crawl through a crack in the wall into your unit. Used furniture is another common culprit, especially if it wasn’t scrutinized.
These bugs are resilient. They can live for months without a blood meal, which makes them hard to detect and even harder to eliminate without help from a pest control company.
What to Watch For: Early Signs of Bed Bug Infestation
Red bumps from bed bug bites are often the first sign, but you should also look for dark spots on sheets, shed skins, or tiny white eggs near furniture seams. If you’re unsure, check the edges of your mattress or the creases in your box spring with a flashlight. You might even spot live bugs if the infestation is established.
Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, but they rarely come out during the day. If you see them crawling on walls or furniture during daylight, the problem is likely severe.
Found Bed Bugs? Here’s What to Do
Don’t try to move your belongings to another room; it only spreads the bugs. Instead, isolate infested items in a sealed plastic bag and notify your landlord or property manager immediately.
If you’re traveling, report the issue to hotel staff right away and request a different room far from the original. Avoid switching to a room directly above or below, as bed bugs often spread vertically.
Professional help is essential. At Pest Pros of Michigan, we offer discreet, effective bed bug treatments designed for both renters and hotel operators. We focus on targeted applications that reach every hiding spot, without over-relying on pesticides.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs in Rentals and Hotels
When you check into a hotel in Detroit or Grand Rapids, inspect the mattress seams and headboard before unpacking to prevent bed bugs on your trip. Keep your luggage off the bed and use a metal rack instead. When you return home, unpack directly into the washing machine and dry clothes on high heat.
For renters, sealing gaps around baseboards, outlets, and pipes can help block bed bug movement between units. Regular inspections, especially in multi-family housing, are key.
What Michigan Renters Should Know About Their Rights
Under Michigan law, landlords are required to provide habitable living conditions. That includes taking action if there’s a bed bug infestation. If you’re a tenant in Lansing or Kalamazoo and suspect a bed bug problem, notify your landlord in writing and request prompt action.
You’re also responsible for cooperating with treatment plans. That means laundering your belongings, vacuuming, and following any instructions from your pest control provider.
Why DIY Bed Bug Treatments Often Fail
Store-bought products and online hacks rarely eliminate an entire infestation. They may kill bugs on contact, but won’t reach eggs hidden inside wall voids or deep in furniture. Bed bugs are tough and adaptive. Treating the visible ones won’t solve the problem.
Pest Pros of Michigan has the experience, tools, and follow-up plans to get rid of bed bugs completely. Just give us a call as we serve homes, apartments, and hospitality businesses throughout southwest Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and surrounding areas.
FAQs
How common are bed bugs in Michigan?
They’re more common than you might think. Cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids are frequently ranked among the worst for bed bug infestations nationwide.
What should I do if I get bed bug bites in a hotel?
Report it immediately to the hotel staff, request a new room (not adjacent to the first), and wash your clothes on high heat once you return home.
Can landlords be held responsible for bed bugs in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan requires landlords to address infestations promptly. Renters should notify property managers in writing and follow all treatment prep steps to stay compliant.
