These are the cities most infested with rats in America

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

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rats are going Hollywood,

los angeles Orkin’s Top 50 Rattiest City list, end of chicago Decade long reign.

the city is hot climateDense neighborhoods and abundant food sources make it ideal rodentThe pest control company says.

Changes in climate, urban infrastructure and human activity are altering rodent activity, increasing infestations in temperate climate cities and expanding urban areas.

Orkin determined its rankings by tracking new rodent-service calls in owner-occupied residences between August 20, 2024, and August 21, 2025.

California leads the way with four cities in the top 50: Los Angeles (1), San Francisco (4), Sacramento (19), and San Diego (24).

California leads the way with four cities in the top 50: Los Angeles (1), San Francisco (4), Sacramento (19), and San Diego (24). ,getty images,

Chicago slipped to second place on this year’s list, followed by new york city At third place and San Francisco at fourth place.

last month, a dead rat And a threatening note calling immigrants “vermin” was left outside Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez’s office amid rising immigration tensions. Later in September, NYC’s “rat mantra,” Kathleen Corradi, who was appointed in April 2023 to reduce the city’s rat population, left her post after a largely quiet tenure.

California dominates this year with four cities in the top 50, including Los Angeles (No. 1), San Francisco (No. 4), Sacramento (No. 19) and San Diego (No. 24).

The list of 2025 Orkin Rattiest Cities is as follows:

  1. Los Angeles, CA (+1)
  2. Chicago, IL (-1)
  3. New York, NY
  4. San Francisco, CA
  5. Hartford, CT (+8)
  6. Washington, DC (-1)
  7. Detroit, MI (+1)
  8. Philadelphia, PA (-1)
  9. Minneapolis, MN (+2)
  10. Denver, CO (-4)
  11. Cleveland, OH (-1)
  12. Baltimore, MD (-3)
  13. Boston, MA (-1)
  14. Indianapolis, IN (+1)
  15. Dallas, TX (+7)
  16. Milwaukee, WI (+3)
  17. Seattle, WA (-3)
  18. Atlanta, GA (-2)
  19. Sacramento, CA (+1)
  20. Pittsburgh, PA (+1)
  21. Columbus, OH (-4)
  22. Tampa, FL (+13)
  23. Houston, TX (+2)
  24. San Diego, CA (-6)
  25. Grand Rapids, MI (+2)
  26. Miami, FL (+2)
  27. Cincinnati, OH (+8)
  28. St. Louis, MO
  29. Norfolk, VA (-5)
  30. Greenville, SC (+4)
  31. Portland, OR (+7)
  32. Raleigh, NC (-4)
  33. Orlando, FL (+6)
  34. Louisville, KY
  35. Charlotte, NC (-9)
  36. Kansas City, MO (+9)
  37. Champaign, IL (+6)
  38. Phoenix, AZ (-6)
  39. New Orleans, LA (+1)
  40. Nashville, TN (-4)
  41. Flint, MI (+1)
  42. South Bend, IN
  43. Albuquerque, NM (-13)
  44. Madison, WI
  45. Reno, NV
  46. Eau Claire, WI
  47. Richmond, VA (-9)
  48. Burlington, VT (-2)
  49. Albany, NY (-18)
  50. Buffalo, NY (-9)
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Rodents thrive where food, water and shelter are readily available. As the seasons change, animals like rats and mice are more likely to seek warmth and entry points into buildings, making prevention especially important in the fall.

Orkin entomologist Ian Williams said, “Mice and rats are more than a nuisance – they are opportunists.” News release“If there’s food, warmth and a way in, they’ll find it. And once inside, their constant chewing and rapid reproduction can turn a small problem into a big, expensive problem.”

Chicago is now the second-fastest US city on this year's list, with New York City in third and San Francisco in fourth.

Chicago is now the second-fastest US city on this year’s list, with New York City in third and San Francisco in fourth. ,AFP via Getty Images,

Homeowners in high-risk cities like Los Angeles are encouraged to inspect their properties for small openings, repair leaks, secure trash containers and call pest control professionals if needed.

In addition to structural damage caused by gnawing, rodents are carriers of diseases including leptospirosis and salmonellosis.

Rats can transmit leptospirosis through their urine and salmonellosis through their feces, contaminated water, surfaces, or food that comes in contact with humans. Both are bacterial infections that affect humans and animals, according to CDC,

Orkin suggests following a four-step prevention acronym to help against unwanted rodent activity, GNAW, which stands for guard entry points, never leave food unattended, avoid clutter and keep an eye out for signs of activity.

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