Los Angeles Takes No. 1 Spot on Orkin's Rattiest Cities List

ATLANTA – As Orkin's annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities List enters its second decade, a new city is claiming the top spot for the first time in the list's history. Chicago's decade-long 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. From bustling commercial corridors to hidden alleyways, Los Angeles' signature blend of glam and grit creates a perfect storm for rodent activity, said 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, according to Orkin. 

A shift in the urban rat race. Orkin determined this year's Rattiest Cities by tracking new rodent services in owner-occupied residences 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). Notably, two of these, Los Angeles and San Francisco, appear in the top five.

Understanding rodent behavior and risk. 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 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, said Orkin. 
• Health concerns: Rodents are known carriers of illnesses to humans, including Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, LCM, plague and typhus, posing serious potential health risks, said Orkin. 
• Fast reproduction: Rodent populations can multiply rapidly, causing expensive problems for homeowners.   

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:

• G uard entry points by sealing cracks, holes and gaps.
• N ever leave food unattended outside for pets or wildlife.
• A void clutter that could create nesting spots.
• W atch for signs like droppings, gnaw marks or rub marks, burrows, or scampering noises.

Additional 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 your home'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 experts: It is important to prevent an infestation from getting worse by calling the experts.

Orkin's Top 50 Rattiest Cities: