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Bed Bug Infestations Surge in Southern States Amid Travel

3/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Bed bug infestations linked to travel are rising in Southern states, with Georgia ranking sixth among U.S. cities for bed bug service requests in a Terminix report.
Florida, Texas, and Tennessee also report increasing concerns, signaling a broader travel-related risk.
Travel expert Lee Abbamonte advises travelers to inspect luggage and run high-heat dryer cycles to kill bed bugs, given hitchhiking risk from frequent guest turnover.

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Story summary

Bed bug infestations linked to travel are rising in Southern states, with Georgia ranking sixth among U.S. cities for bed bug service requests in a Terminix report.
Florida, Texas, and Tennessee also report increasing concerns, signaling a broader travel-related risk.
Travel expert Lee Abbamonte advises travelers to inspect luggage and run high-heat dryer cycles to kill bed bugs, given hitchhiking risk from frequent guest turnover.