As bed bug infestations continue to rise, several cities in Maine are grappling with a growing problem in 2025. Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Auburn, and Augusta are some of the hardest-hit areas in the state, actively working on strategies to combat these unwelcome pests.
From public education to stricter property inspections, these cities are employing a combination of efforts to address the issue, protect residents, and prevent further spread.
Portland’s Approach: Education and Resources for Renters
Portland, Maine’s largest city and a popular tourist destination, is taking a proactive approach to fighting bed bugs. The city is focusing on educating residents about early detection and prevention methods, offering resources for low-income renters, and increasing inspections at hotels and motels, which are at higher risk of infestations due to their high turnover rates.
The city’s effort is a critical part of preventing bed bugs from spreading to both residents and visitors.
Lewiston’s Strategy: Outreach to High-Risk Populations
Lewiston is taking a targeted approach by focusing on populations that are most vulnerable to bed bug infestations. The city works closely with immigrant communities, who may have less awareness about bed bugs, offering outreach and subsidized pest control services to help prevent the problem from spreading.
Additionally, Lewiston collaborates with landlords to implement better management practices for preventing and addressing infestations in rental properties.
Bangor’s Focus: Early Detection and Public Awareness
In Bangor, early detection is key to controlling bed bug infestations. The city is focusing on encouraging residents to report signs of bed bugs as soon as they appear and implementing public awareness campaigns to educate the community about the problem.
Bangor is also offering discounted pest control services to help residents who may have trouble affording professional treatment and is working closely with landlords to ensure timely responses to reported infestations.
Auburn’s Comprehensive Efforts: Inspections and Financial Aid
Auburn is tackling the bed bug issue head-on with strict rental inspections and providing financial aid to residents in need of pest control services. These efforts are accompanied by community education programs designed to raise awareness about the signs of bed bug infestations and ways to prevent them.
Auburn’s approach ensures that residents are not left to deal with the problem alone, especially those in low-income households.
Augusta’s Education and Training for Landlords
In Augusta, the city is focusing on public education and providing additional training to landlords to help them understand how to spot, treat, and prevent bed bug infestations in rental properties.
Augusta also places a strong emphasis on increasing inspections and offering assistance to residents in both public and private housing, ensuring that everyone has the tools and resources needed to combat this growing issue.
Common Strategies Across Maine Cities
While each city in Maine has its own tailored approach, there are several common strategies used to tackle the bed bug problem:
Education and Awareness: Public education campaigns are central to helping residents detect and prevent infestations early. These campaigns often involve schools, health organizations, and community centers.
Subsidized Pest Control: To assist low-income residents, many cities offer subsidized pest control services, ensuring that cost isn’t a barrier to addressing the issue.
Rental Property Inspections: Stricter regulations and inspections on rental properties and hotels ensure that landlords are held accountable for maintaining pest-free environments.
Community Outreach: Community outreach efforts, especially aimed at vulnerable populations, are key to ensuring that everyone, regardless of income or background, has the resources to combat bed bug infestations.
Bed bugs have become an increasingly serious issue in Maine’s largest cities, prompting a range of local responses aimed at curbing their spread.
While these cities have not historically topped national bed bug lists, the recent rise in infestations has led to active and comprehensive efforts to protect residents and address the problem head-on.
By combining education, outreach, and stricter regulations, Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, Auburn, and Augusta are taking crucial steps to combat the bed bug crisis and prevent it from becoming an even bigger issue in the future.
[1] https://collincountymagazine.com/2025/07/07/insect-invasion-5-maine-cities-combatting-bed-bug-onslaught/
[2] https://www.orkin.com/press-room/worst-cities-for-bed-bugs-annual-rankings
[3] https://92moose.fm/maine-cities-worst-bed-bugs/
