North Columbus News

Researchers at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) are warning travelers about the increased risk of bed bug infestations, especially during the summer travel season. According to experts, bed bugs can easily spread through travel, secondhand items, and high-density housing.

“Travel amplifies the risk,” said Seun Oladipupo, assistant professor of urban entomology at CFAES. “And with Ohio surrounded by other high-ranking states, it’s easy for infestations to move across state lines undetected.”

Researchers recommend that travelers inspect mattress seams and furniture crevices in hotels or rental properties before settling in. Luggage should be kept off beds and floors, and clothing should be dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes upon returning home to kill any potential bed bugs.

CFAES is working on several initiatives aimed at controlling infestations and protecting public health. These include molecular research into bed bug biology and studying their microbiomes for new control strategies. The team is also examining how socioeconomic factors like poverty and segregation contribute to persistent infestations in urban areas.

“Ohio’s vulnerability to bed bugs stems not just from interstate travel, but from deeper, structural issues,” Oladipupo said. “The state’s high rates of spatial inequality and socioeconomic marginalization create fertile ground for bed bug persistence — especially in densely populated urban areas.”

Oladipupo emphasized the broader impact: “This isn’t just about killing bugs. It’s about protecting public health, stabilizing neighborhoods and restoring confidence in our housing systems. Bed bugs threaten urban health, drag down property values and undermine tourism. It’s not just a nuisance; it’s a public health and economic crisis.”

Bed bug bites cause discomfort beyond itching; they can disrupt sleep, trigger allergic reactions, and lead to stress—issues that hit vulnerable populations hardest. In low-income communities where professional extermination can cost over $2,500 per incident, many cannot afford prompt treatment.

“Bed bugs reproduce rapidly and can survive more than two months without feeding,” Oladipupo said. “In multi-unit housing, nearly half of infestations go undetected, creating persistent hotspots and long-term risk.”

Infestations have broader consequences such as impacting local housing markets and tourism while increasing demands on healthcare systems.

Supported by grants including those from Ohio State’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, Oladipupo's team is mapping infestation trends within Columbus neighborhoods while developing educational resources tailored to affected communities.

Much outreach takes place through Ohio State University Extension—CFAES’ community arm—which distributed hundreds of fact sheets at events like the COSI Science Festival earlier this year. Materials are being translated into Spanish and Somali to increase accessibility.

“Education is one of our strongest tools,” Oladipupo said. “Through CFAES webinars and science cafes, we’re training pest professionals and engaging residents face-to-face. These programs build trust — and that’s essential in any public health effort.”

Early detection remains critical for effective control efforts. Travelers are encouraged to look for dark or rust-colored stains—about the size of a marker dot—which may indicate hidden bed bugs.

“Bed bugs are predictable; humans are not,” Oladipupo said. “After feeding, bed bugs defecate because the meal distends their abdomen. They need to shed some of that volume to fit back into crevices and cracks, which are their usual hiding spots.”

The CFAES lab continues exploring biological approaches alongside social factors such as income levels or building design that influence infestation patterns.

“Our lab is looking at everything from bed bug microbiomes to social drivers,” Oladipupo said. “We’re trying to understand not just where bed bugs are coming from, but why some communities can’t eliminate them.”

By combining scientific research with direct community engagement efforts across Ohio cities—including providing prevention information online (https://u.osu.edu/bedbugs)—the university aims for lasting solutions against this growing pest issue.

“Left unaddressed, bed bugs can devastate communities and burden entire systems,” Oladipupo said. “Our research is about more than pest control—it’s about building resilient communities.”

For more information or free prevention resources visit https://u.osu.edu/bedbugs or contact bedbugs@osu.edu.