Detroit Climbs into Terminix’s Top 10 as Fall Rodent Pressure Shifts Nationwide

Five cities enter the Top 50 as fall brings renewed concern about rodents moving indoors

Rodent activity is shifting across the country, with Detroit entering Terminix’s Top 10 for the first time, according to new data from Terminix®, a Rentokil Terminix company. Based on 2025 service data from more than 300 Rentokil-owned Terminix branches nationwide, where residents most frequently used rodent control services in 2025, the company’s annual list of the Top 50 Most Rodent-Infested Cities, reveals notable movement across the country. Five new cities entered the ranking, Milwaukee broke into the Top 20, and San Diego dropped 15 spots.

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Cities that have the most rats in the US

The findings come as fall begins, when dropping temperatures can drive rodents indoors in search of food, water, and shelter. While the nation’s Top 10 saw relatively little movement year-over-year, the shifts farther down the list highlight how rodent pressure can vary from one year to the next and across different regions.

"Several factors can influence where rodent pressure shows up from year to year," said Emory Matts, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Service Manager at Terminix. "Weather, drought, development, population shifts, and the availability of food and shelter can all play a role. Dry conditions can push rodents indoors in search of food and water, while milder falls and winters can extend breeding windows and allow populations to grow before colder weather arrives."

What are the Top 10 most rodent-infested cities?

1. New York (no change)
2. Los Angeles (no change)
3. Philadelphia (+1)
4. San Francisco (-1)
5. Houston (+2)
6. Chicago (-1)
7. Washington, D.C. (-1)
8. Boston (+1)
9. Dallas-Ft. Worth (-1)
10. Detroit (+1)

Outside of the Top 10, several metro areas made significant moves:

• Milwaukee made its first appearance in the Top 20.
• Portland and Honolulu each climbed seven spots.
• San Diego fell 15 spots, the steepest decline of any ranked city.
• Oklahoma City fell 10 spots.
• San Antonio fell nine spots.
• Phoenix, Minneapolis, Springfield, MO, and Richmond entered the Top 50.

How can homeowners help prevent seasonal rodent infestations?

"Most homeowners don't think about rodents until they find evidence of them, and by then, the infestation may already be established," said Matts. "Fall is when rodents are most actively searching for a way inside. A mouse can fit through a gap the size of a dime, so even a small opening can become an entry point.”

Terminix recommends homeowners take the following steps before colder weather sets in:

• Seal entry points. Inspect your foundation, garage, roofline, and utility penetrations for gaps or cracks. Seal openings with steel wool and caulk. Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
• Eliminate food access. Store dry goods in hard-sided containers, remove pet food bowls at night, and secure outdoor trash with tight-fitting lids.
• Reduce shelter. Keep firewood stacked away from the home, trim shrubs and low branches back from the foundation, and clear debris piles where rodents can nest.

For more information on rodent activity and comprehensive prevention strategies, visit Terminix.com/rodent-control.

About Rentokil Terminix

Rentokil Terminix is the leading provider of residential and commercial services in North America. The company provides health, hygiene, and environment services, and pest management services, including protection against termites, mosquitoes, rodents, and other pests. The company is part of Rentokil Initial plc (NYSE: RTO), one of the largest business services companies in the world. To learn more, visit EnhancedPestControl.com, or linkedin.com/company/rentokilterminix.

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