Terminix releases 2025 list of most rat‑infested U.S. cities, Detroit cracks top ten
Terminix released its 2025 most rat‑infested cities ranking on Oct. 13, 2026, placing New York, N.Y., at the top, followed by Los Angeles, C.A., and adding Detroit, M.I., to the top‑ten list for the first time.
The list, compiled from service requests filed by more than 300 Terminix branches nationwide, reflects the cities where residents most frequently called for rodent‑control assistance during 2025. Public‑health officials say high rodent activity can exacerbate disease transmission and sanitation problems, making the data a valuable indicator of urban health risks.
Terminix identified three common factors among the ten cities: large populations, abundant food sources and plentiful hiding places such as alleys, parks and aging infrastructure. “Together, these conditions give rats and mice the resources they need to survive and reproduce,” the company said in its release.
The full top‑ten, in order, is: New York, N.Y.; Los Angeles, C.A.; Philadelphia, P.A.; San Francisco, C.A.; Houston, T.X.; Chicago, I.L.; Washington, D.C.; Boston, M.A.; Dallas, T.X.; and Detroit, M.I.
Detroit’s entry marks a notable shift. In a 2023 city‑council meeting, Mayor Mary Sheffield warned that demolition sites were turning into “rat havens” and that residents repeatedly voiced concerns about infestations. Sheffield’s earlier comments underscore why the city’s jump from No. 11 to No. 10 warrants attention.
Health experts stress that rodent control is only part of a broader strategy. Terminix urged residents in the affected cities to seal cracks around doors and windows, store food in airtight containers, and keep living spaces free of crumbs and waste. These preventive steps can reduce the likelihood of infestations and limit the need for professional interventions.
Officials in the listed cities are already reviewing the findings. Some municipalities plan to increase funding for waste‑management services, while others are exploring stricter building‑code enforcement to limit rodent access points.
As urban areas continue to grow, the Terminix ranking serves as a reminder that proactive public‑health measures and community awareness are essential to keeping rodent populations in check.
