Iowa faces a surging bed bug crisis, with cities like Cedar Rapids and Davenport ranking among the nation’s worst for infestations in 2025. Local officials, pest control experts, and programs are ramping up efforts amid rising complaints and treatments.
Bed Bug Surge in Iowa
Bed bugs thrive in multi-unit housing, spreading via travel and clutter, with Iowa’s cold weather failing to curb year-round activity. Orkin’s 2025 rankings spotlight Cedar Rapids at #20 (up 19 spots) and Davenport at #21 (up 8), based on treatments from May 2024-2025. Complaints in Cedar Rapids hit 39 in 2024, the highest in five years, driven by apartments and homelessness shelters.
Cedar Rapids Efforts
Cedar Rapids’ Code Enforcement handled 39 pest complaints in 2024, issuing 30 violations for bed bugs. Linn County Public Health’s Safe Home Program used $50,000 in federal funds for treatments, partnering with Bed Bug and Beyond and HACAP, though funds depleted quickly. Experts like Lindsay Trebon note language barriers and delayed reporting exacerbate apartment spreads.
Davenport Challenges
Davenport climbed rankings due to increased Orkin treatments, mirroring regional rises in multi-family units. Local pest firms report heightened calls, linking issues to travel and secondhand goods. City officials urge inspections, but no large-scale program matches Cedar Rapids’ scale.
Des Moines Actions
Des Moines saw major outbreaks in high-rises like Elsie Mason Manor and Ligutti Towers, settled via a $2.45 million class action enforcing strict protocols. Ongoing vigilance includes professional extermination and resident education on prevention.
Sioux City and Waterloo
Sioux City combats year-round infestations through Iowa Exterminator’s eco-friendly heat treatments, targeting hotels and travel hotspots. Waterloo leverages local services for rapid response, emphasizing integrated pest management amid rising regional reports.
Prevention Tactics
Cities promote mattress encasements, hot washing bedding, sealing cracks, and avoiding infested secondhand items. Professional heat or chemical treatments outperform DIY, as bugs resist common pesticides. Public awareness campaigns stress early detection via stains, shed skins, or bites.
Community Impact
Infestations cause stress, health issues like itching, and financial strain, hitting renters and elderly hardest. Stigma delays action, but officials clarify cleanliness isn’t the cause—travel and density are.
Future Strategies
Experts call for more funding, multilingual outreach, and shelter protocols as homelessness rises. Statewide collaboration could mirror Linn County’s model, with Orkin data guiding hotspots.
SOURCES:
- https://www.thegazette.com/news/are-bedbugs-a-growing-problem-in-cedar-rapids/
- https://www.orkin.com/press-room/worst-cities-for-bed-bugs-annual-rankings
