Is your facility in one of the country’s most rat-infested cities? Just in time for Halloween, Orkin has released its annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities List, which includes a shake-up in rankings for 2025. The pest management company also highlighted the hazards of a rodent infestation, warning signs to look out for, and prevention tips.
As Orkin’s list enters its second decade, a new city is claiming the top spot for the first time: Chicago’s decade-long rodent reign at No. 1 is over, with Los Angeles knocking the Windy City off its long-held perch.
In true Hollywood fashion, Los Angeles has taken center stage. With year-round warm weather, a booming culinary scene, and dense neighborhoods that offer ample access to food and shelter, the City of Angels checks every box for rodent survival, according to Orkin. From bustling commercial corridors to hidden alleyways, Los Angeles’ signature blend of glam and grit creates a “perfect storm” for rodent activity.
According to Orkin, the shake-up in rankings signals a shift in rodent activity, likely influenced by weather patterns, urban infrastructure, and human behavior. While Chicago has held the top spot since the list’s inception, this year’s data shows other major cities are seeing increased pressure, particularly as more moderate climates improve rodent survival rates and urban sprawl opens new pathways for infestations.
A Shift in the Urban Rat Race
Orkin determined this year’s Rattiest Cities by tracking new rodent services from Aug. 20, 2024, to Aug. 21, 2025, offering a snapshot of the cities with the highest levels of reported activity.
While Chicago now sits at No. 2, it continues to battle high levels of rodent activity across its dense urban landscape. New York City follows at No. 3, with its vast subway system and abundance of food and shelter sources contributing to ongoing pest challenges. San Francisco (No. 4) remains a consistent presence near the top of the list.
This year, California is the most represented state, with four cities in the top 50: Los Angeles (No. 1), San Francisco (No. 4), Sacramento (No. 19), and San Diego (No. 24).
Orkin’s Top 50 Rattiest Cities
- Los Angeles, Calif. (+1)
- Chicago, Ill. (-1)
- New York, N.Y.
- San Francisco, Calif.
- Hartford, Conn. (+8)
- Washington, D.C. (-1)
- Detroit, Mich. (+1)
- Philadelphia, Pa. (-1)
- Minneapolis, Minn. (+2)
- Denver, Colo. (-4)
- Cleveland, Ohio (-1)
- Baltimore, Md. (-3)
- Boston, Mass. (-1)
- Indianapolis, Ind. (+1)
- Dallas, Texas (+7)
- Milwaukee, Wis. (+3)
- Seattle, Wash. (-3)
- Atlanta, Ga. (-2)
- Sacramento, Calif. (+1)
- Pittsburgh, Pa. (+1)
- Columbus, Ohio (-4)
- Tampa, Fla. (+13)
- Houston, Texas (+2)
- San Diego, Calif. (-6)
- Grand Rapids, Mich. (+2)
- Miami, Fla. (+2)
- Cincinnati, Ohio (+8)
- St. Louis, Mo.
- Norfolk, Va. (-5)
- Greenville, S.C. (+4)
- Portland, Ore. (+7)
- Raleigh, N.C. (-4)
- Orlando, Fla. (+6)
- Louisville, Ky.
- Charlotte, N.C. (-9)
- Kansas City, Mo. (+9)
- Champaign, Ill. (+6)
- Phoenix, Ariz. (-6)
- New Orleans, La. (+1)
- Nashville, Tenn. (-4)
- Flint, Mich. (+1)
- South Bend, Ind.
- Albuquerque, N.M. (-13)
- Madison, Wis.
- Reno, Nev.
- Eau Claire, Wis.
- Richmond, Va. (-9)
- Burlington, Vt. (-2)
- Albany, N.Y. (-18)
- Buffalo, N.Y. (-9)
Understanding Rodent Behavior and Risk
According to Orkin, rodents are highly adaptive and are drawn to the same resources humans need: shelter, food, and water. They thrive in moderate weather, which increases their chances of survival and supports ongoing population growth. Meanwhile, urban sprawl continues to create new access points and opportunities for infestation.
As the weather cools, rodents seek warm shelter and food sources, causing serious concern for millions of homeowners and businesses who deal with infestations each fall.
“Rats and mice are more than a nuisance—they’re opportunists,” said Ian Williams, Orkin entomologist. “If there’s food, warmth, and a way in, they’ll find it. And once inside, their constant chewing and rapid reproduction can quickly turn a small issue into a large, expensive one.”
Why It Matters
Rodents pose several risks for property owners:
- Structural damage: Rodents gnaw through walls, wiring, and even pipes. A rat’s teeth rank 5.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them strong enough to chew through steel garbage cans.
- Health concerns: Rodents are known carriers of illnesses to humans, including Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, LCM, plague, and typhus, posing serious potential health risks.
- Fast reproduction: Rodent populations can multiply rapidly, causing expensive problems for homeowners and businesses.
Preventing Rodent Infestations: Think GNAW
Prevention is key in controlling rodent problems. To help against unwanted rodent activity, Orkin experts recommend following GNAW, a simple acronym for four essential prevention tips:
- Guard entry points by sealing cracks, holes, and gaps.
- Never leave food unattended outside for pets or wildlife.
- Avoid clutter that could create nesting spots.
- Watch for signs like droppings, gnaw marks or rub marks, burrows, or scampering noises.
More Prevention Tips to Keep Rodents Out
Suspected rodent activity should be addressed quickly to help prevent the issue from escalating. These steps can help reduce the risk of infestation:
- Watch for small openings: Rats only need an opening the size of a quarter to access a building, and mice need even less space. Regularly inspect a building’s exterior for even the tiniest cracks or gaps, especially around vents, pipes, and the foundation and seal them as soon as possible.
- Fix leaks: Eliminate water sources by fixing leaky faucets, pipes, or standing water.
- Maintain your trash containers: Check for holes or damage in your outdoor bins—especially along the bottom, lid, or sides. If bins are broken or chewed through, contact your local sanitation provider to request a replacement.
- Call the pros: It is important to prevent an infestation from getting worse by calling the experts, who are trained to provide a tailored solution to help with all rodent and pest needs.
- Consider long-term protection: Homeowners and businesses in rodent-prone cities may consider proactive measures like services that help identify and seal off potential rodent entry points around the structure of buildings before infestations occur.
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