MT Travel Warning: Popular Destinations Infested with Bed Bugs

BUTTE, MT - With summer travel season heating up, many Montana residents are gearing up for road trips, flights, and hotel stays across the country.

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Many are packing up and heading out—whether it’s for a weekend wedding, a ballgame, or that long-overdue beach vacation. Yes, that last one is for me, though it's wishful thinking.

But before you zip up your suitcase and hit I-90, there’s one more thing you might want to add to your travel checklist: checking for bed bugs.

That’s right—America’s most unwanted travel souvenir isn’t sunburn, jet lag, or a $12 airport coffee. It’s bed bugs. And they don’t discriminate between budget motels and high-end hotels.

Montana's Top Travel Locations with Bed Bugs

According to recent pest control reports, certain U.S. cities are experiencing sky-high infestation rates—and they just happen to be some of the most popular travel destinations for Montanans.

Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, and even Salt Lake City (a favorite stop for Yellowstone-bound travelers) might have all made the list. These tiny pests are sneaky, resilient, and more than willing to hitch a ride back to your home in Bozeman, Billings, or Missoula.

And the worst part? You often won’t even know you’ve been exposed until after you unpack. Bed bugs can cost thousands to eliminate, and they’re notoriously hard to get rid of once they’ve made themselves at home.

The CDC warns that their bites can cause allergic reactions, sleeplessness, and serious stress—not exactly the kind of memories you want to bring home.

So, before you book your next stay, take a few minutes to browse our list: it might just save your summer—and your sanity.