Orkin has named the rattiest cities in America. See the list

Pest control company Orkin recently released its annual list of the rattiest cities in America, with Los Angeles taking the top spot.

Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC, round out the top 5, according to an October news release from the company, meaning the top four cities remain unchanged from last year. Albuquerque, New Mexico, made the largest jump in the rankings, climbing 12 spots to No. 31, with Nashville and Albany also climbing 10 spots from last year's ranking.

"Los Angeles’ year-round mild weather, dense neighborhoods and abundant access to food, water and shelter create conditions where rats and mice can thrive," Orkin said in the news release. "From residential neighborhoods to bustling commercial corridors, the same

features that make the city attractive to millions of people can also provide rodents with plenty of opportunities to find the resources they need to survive."

California is the most represented state in the top 50, according to Orkin, with four cities landing in the top 50 – Los Angeles (No. 1), San Francisco (No. 4), Sacramento (No. 21) and San Diego (No. 33). Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas each had three cities in the top 50.

“There’s no single type of city or climate that’s immune to rodent pressure,” said Shannon Sked, national technical director at Orkin, in the news release. “Rats and mice are highly adaptable and can thrive in communities across the country wherever they can find food, water and shelter."

Orkin said it determined this year's rattiest cities by tracking all new residential rodent treatments from Aug. 9, 2025, to Aug. 9, 2026.

See Orkin's top 50 rattiest cities

Here's a look at the top 50 rattiest cities in America, according to Orkin, and their change in the rankings since last year:

1. Los Angeles
2. Chicago
3. New York
4. San Francisco
5. Washington, DC (+1)
6. Detroit (+1)
7. Cleveland (+4)
8. Denver (+2)
9. Philadelphia (-1)
10. Baltimore (+2)
11. Minneapolis (-2)
12. Dallas (+3)
13. Boston
14. Houston (+9)
15. Columbus, Ohio (+6)
16. Seattle (+1)
17. Hartford, Conn. (-12)
18. Milwaukee (-2)
19. Indianapolis (-5)
20. Pittsburgh
21. Sacramento (-2)
22. Tampa
23. Atlanta (-5)
24. St. Louis (+4)
25. Cincinnati (+2)
26. Miami
27. Kansas City (+9)
28. Grand Rapids, Mich. (-3)
29. Springfield, Ill. (+8)
30. Nashville (+10)
31. Albuquerque, N.M. (+12)
32. Orlando (+1)
33. San Diego (-9)
34. Portland, Ore. (-3)
35. Norfolk, Va. (-6)
36. Cedar Rapids, Iowa (New to top 50)
37. New Orleans (+2)
38. South Bend, Ind. (+4)
39. Albany, N.Y. (+10)
40. Greenville, S.C. (-10)
41. Raleigh, N.C. (-9)
42. Reno, Nev. (+3)
43. Charlotte, N.C. (+8)
44. Richmond, Va. (+3)
45. Knoxville, Tenn. (New to top 50)
46. Phoenix (-8)
47. Charleston, W. Va. (New to top 50)
48. Flint, Mich. (-7)
49. San Antonio (New to top 50)
50. Harrisburg, Pa. (New to top 50)

What can people do to prevent roden infestations?

According to Orkin, the best defense against mice and rats starts before they find their way inside. Orkin recommends remembering the acronym GNAW for four simple ways homeowners can help make their property less inviting to rats and mice:

• Guard entry points by sealing cracks, holes and gaps.
• Never leave food unattended outside for pets or wildlife.
• Avoid clutter that could generate nesting spots.
• Watch for signs like droppings, gnaw marks or rub marks, burrows or scampering noises.

Additional steps that can help reduce the risk of infestation include fixing leaks, maintaining your trash containers, and watching for small openings, especially around vents, pipes and the foundation of your home.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [e-mail].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Orkin has named the rattiest cities in America. See the list