These 5 U.S. Cities Have the Biggest Rat Problems
According to National Geographic Kids, a group of rats is called a “mischief.” These nocturnal rodents often live underground and are experts at staying hidden, despite the fact that their populations tend to vastly outnumber the humans they live alongside.
People who are afraid of rats and mice are said to have musophobia. And unfortunately, if they live in one of these five cities, they are about to have a bad day.
That’s because Orkin has released its annual list of Rattiest Cities. The pest control company dropped the info in an October 2026 press release on its website, naming the top 50 Rattiest Cities of 2026.
The company compiles its annual list by counting the number of residential rodent treatments between Aug. 9, 2025, and Aug. 9, 2026, giving people an idea of where rodent issues are the highest. However, it’s worth noting that just because these cities have the highest number of calls into the pest control company, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other areas with unreported rat populations.
The Top Cities Are All Major Urban Centers
It may not come as any surprise to people who have spent time in big cities, but all of the top five locations are major hubs, with two cities located in the same state. The city with the biggest rat problem is Los Angeles. According to a Facebook post about the list, rats are drawn to the region because of the mild climate and busy entertainment venues that offer plentiful food sources.
Next on the list are Chicago, then New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
How to Deal With Rats at Home
Rats may be scary for people with musophobia, but they can also be hazardous to your health, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As such, the CDC says it’s important to get control over rat and rodent populations before they get too established.
The agency says the best way to do this is by eliminating items that provide shelter, food, and water.
Of course, sometimes that can be hard to do, especially for those who live in areas with natural water sources. In those cases, people may want to hire a licensed pest control technician to help them with population control.
