Top 10 Most Rodent-Infested Cities in the U.S.

A national pest control company has shared its annual ranking of the cities in the U.S. that struggle the most with rodent infestations. Interestingly, for the first time, a city from the Midwest has made it onto the list.

This ranking is derived from service data collected by over 300 Terminix branches across the country in 2025, essentially highlighting the cities where residents most frequently sought the company’s pest control services.

New York and Los Angeles retained their positions at the top, while Philadelphia saw a slight improvement, moving up to third place. The list also saw familiar cities like Houston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., along with Boston and Dallas return to the ranks.

This year, however, there’s a new city entering the top 10.

For the first time, Detroit has ranked among the top 10, climbing up from the previous No. 11 spot. Rodent issues have been a growing concern for many in Detroit.

In a memorandum from 2023, which was obtained by sources, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield mentioned during a community meeting that residents had voiced significant worries regarding rodent infestations.

Sheffield noted, “In a recent community meeting that I held, rodent infestations were a main complaint among our residents.” It seems the presence of vacant properties in disrepair has contributed to the problem, with some being overtaken by rats.

Following Detroit in the rankings, Hartford, Atlanta, Baltimore, Tampa, and Sacramento rounded out the top 15. Terminix identified a few factors common to all the cities on this list: high population density, ample food sources, and many hiding spots for rodents.

According to Terminix, these conditions allow rats and mice to thrive. “Large populations generate significant amounts of food waste, while dumpsters, alleys, parks, and other urban areas provide easy access to food,” the company explained. Furthermore, older buildings and infrastructures like subways and sewers offer additional spaces for these pests to travel, hide, and nest.

Terminix has also recommended that residents take preventive measures against possible infestations. These include sealing any cracks around doors, windows, and the foundation, storing food in sealed containers, and maintaining cleanliness to eliminate crumbs and food debris.

“For those living in some of the worst affected areas, implementing these steps could significantly reduce the risk of encountering rodents,” the company added.