America’s most rat-infested cities ranked as Midwest surprise cracks top 10

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A national pest control company has released its annual list of the top 10 mostrodent-infested citiesin the U.S.— and one Midwest city has now joined the list for the first time.

The list is based on rodent control service data from more than 300 Terminix branches nationwide in 2025, ranking cities where residents most frequently used the company’s services.

While New York and Los Angeles held onto the top two spots, Philadelphia moved up one spot to No.3.

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The top 10 list included returning cities like Houston, Chicago and Washington, D.C.— as well asBoston and Dallas.

There was also a new entrant in the top 10 this year.

Terminix analyzed rodent control service data from more than 300 branches nationwide to identify cities in 2025 with the highest demand for its services.(iStock)

For the first time, Detroit cracked the top 10, moving up one spot from No.11.

Rodent infestations havepreviously raised concernsamong Detroit residents.

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“In a recent community meeting that I held,rodent infestationswere a main complaint among our residents,” Sheffield said at the time.

Terminix released its annual ranking of America’s most rodent-infested cities, with Detroit, seen above, entering the top 10 for the first time.(iStock)

“[Residents] shared that many demolition properties become homes for rat infestation.”

�s office for comment.

Following Detroit on the list were Hartford, Atlanta, Baltimore, Tampa and Sacramento, rounding out the top 15.

Terminix said all the cities on the list share three common factors:large populations, abundant food sources and plenty of places for rodents to hide.

Aerial view of Detroit buildings, skyline

Detroit, pictured here, moved up from No.11 to enter the top 10 most rodent-infested cities for the first time, according to Terminix.(iStock)

“Together, these conditions give rats and mice the resources they need to survive and reproduce,” said Terminix in a release.The Rentokil Terminix company is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.

“Large populations generate significantamounts of foodwaste, while dumpsters, alleys, parks, and other urban spaces can give rodents easy access to food,” the company added.

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“Older buildings, subway systems, and sewer networks provide additional places to travel, hide, and nest.”

Terminix also urged residents to take steps to preventrodent infestations.

Dumpsters, alleys, parks and other urban spaces can provide rodents with access to food, according to pest control company Terminix.(iStock)

That includes sealing cracks and openings around doors, windows and foundations, storing food in airtight containers and keeping living spaces clean and free of crumbs and food residue.

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“If you live in one of the most rat-infested cities, these steps can significantly help lower the risk of a rodent infestation,” the company added.