Rodents have long been a persistent problem in America’s urban spaces, scurrying through alleyways and causing headaches for city dwellers. Recently, pest control giant Terminix released its annual ranking of the most rat-infested cities in the United States, shedding light on which metropolises are grappling with the most severe rodent issues. The top five locales that use Terminix’s services most frequently were found to be as follows:
5. Washington, DC
Washington, D.C. is among the U.S. cities with the highest frequency of rodent-related pest control searches on Yelp, so it’s no surprise how the capital city made it to Terminix’s top 5.
Gerard Brown, DC Health’s rodent control director, attributes the city’s growing rat population to milder winters, an influx of people moving to the city, and more people working from home. All of this inadvertently generates more trash in residential areas, which of course attracts more rodents, pests, and whatnot.
4. Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia ranks as the fourth most rat-infested city in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. In May, residents of South Watts Street in South Philly reported a rat infestation, turning the area into a nightly spectacle, with rodents found to be scurrying through its dark alleys.
While the rats hadn’t entered homes yet, they were reportedly getting into cars, sometimes causing thousands of dollars in damage. Residents believe the infestation is linked to the city’s long-standing issues with garbage management.
3. Los Angeles, CA
Unsurprisingly, Terminix ranked Los Angeles as the third most rat-infested city in the U.S. after landing the No. 2 spot on Orkin’s annual list of America’s “rattiest” cities last year. Like many other cities nationwide, rat infestations have been a significant issue in L.A. for years.
In October 2023, merchants along the city’s famed Olvera Street reported a rodent outbreak threatening their livelihoods. A video shared with KTLA showed rats crawling on the streets, sidewalks, and under vendor stands of Olvera Street scavenging for food. Dead rodents were scattered around in addition to these food-hunting rats.
2. San Francisco, CA
As one of the most densely populated cities in the United States, San Francisco provides an ideal habitat for rats due to its abundance of food, trash, and areas with poor sanitation. The city has earned the dubious distinction of ranking fifth on Orkin’s annual list of “rattiest” cities and has also secured a spot in Terminix’s top 5.
San Francisco has long grappled with rodent issues. In response, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has implemented innovative solutions, including the use of rat birth control with the help of ContraPest, a contraceptive for vermin. While ContraPest has shown promise in reducing rat populations in specific areas, the overall effectiveness of the city’s rat control efforts remains a topic of ongoing evaluation.
1. New York City, NY
As you might have guessed, New York City is the most rat-infested city in the U.S. according to Terminix. New Yorkers have noticed an increase in pests in the city’s public spaces, from parks to playgrounds and subways. Interestingly, according to Orkin’s 2023 ranking, Chicago holds the top spot for the ninth consecutive year, with Los Angeles in second place and New York in third.
Mayor Eric Adams appointed DOE (Department of Education) employee Kathleen Corradi as NYC’s new “rat czar” last year to help combat the infestation. The Big Apple even held a summit of vermin experts in May to “know our enemy,” as it was considered a “real problem” due to the rise of leptospirosis.