Knoxville dropped to No. 40 on Orkin's 2026 Bed Bug Cities list, the pest control company said July 7. The ranking covers bedbug treatments reported between May 12, 2025, and May 12, 2026 and includes both residential and commercial data.
Where Knoxville stands and what that means
That position represents an 11‑spot decline from 2025, when Knoxville ranked No. 29 on the list. Across the last five years the city has consistently appeared among Orkin's top 50 bedbug cities. The 2026 list also included Nashville, which ranked No. 34.
| Year | Knoxville ranking |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 40 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2024 | 34 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2021 | 36 |
Timing matters for residents and visitors
The announcement arrives as Knoxville prepares for a busy summer. Tourists continue to flock to the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the University of Tennessee community is approaching fall move‑in season. Those seasonal movements of people and belongings are the exact circumstances that can increase the chance of encountering bedbugs.
How bedbugs spread and why vigilance helps
Orkin explains that bedbugs travel on people and personal items — luggage, purses, gym bags and other objects kept close to sleeping areas. The insects are small (less than a quarter of an inch) and have flattened bodies, which allows them to hide in seams and crevices. They do not jump; instead, they often hide on belongings or on people and "hitchhike" to a new location.
Because of the way they travel, it is possible to pick up bedbugs almost anywhere, like offices, gyms, stores and hotels.
That means both long‑term residents and short‑term visitors should inspect luggage and sleeping areas when traveling, and be alert when bringing second‑hand furniture into a home.
Practical steps to reduce risk
Orkin recommends a series of prevention measures for households and travelers. Key actions include:
- Declutter living spaces so hiding places are reduced and signs of insects are easier to spot.
- Wash and dry bedding frequently using the hottest temperature the fabric can tolerate.
- Inspect second‑hand furniture thoroughly before bringing items into your home.
- Check luggage and sleeping areas when staying in hotels or at other people's homes; store luggage on racks and away from beds when possible.
For Knoxville residents, these steps are practical ways to lower personal risk. Local pest control professionals are the resource for confirmed infestations and treatment options; Orkin's rankings reflect treatment reports rather than an overall measure of infestation in the community.
As visitors arrive for summer recreation and students prepare for campus life in the coming months, simple inspections and good habits can help limit the spread. Taking a few precautions now may prevent a larger problem for households and rental properties later this year.
