Pest control company Orkin released its annual report for the “rattiest” city in the United States, ranking Los Angeles at the top. For the first time, the report said, the California city led both Chicago and New York.
The report explained that the shift signals changes in rodent activities, “likely influenced by weather patterns, urban infrastructure and human behavior.”
“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,” the report explained. “From bustling commercial corridors to hidden alleyways, Los Angeles’ signature blend of glam and grit creates a perfect storm for rodent activity.”
“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.”
Other California cities appeared on the list: San Francisco (4), Sacramento (19), and San Diego (24).
Residents of Chicago, the previous leading rat-infested city, told CBS News that the rodents are still entrenched within the city.
“In two months, I have killed 19 rats,” resident Bill Dillon told the outlet. “We have pictures. These are big rats.”
California’s rat-infested cities come despite thousands of people fleeing the Democrat-led state. Throughout 2024, California lost a net of 9,181 millennial households. New York lost the second-most, with 4,251. Illinois and Massachusetts also lost a significant number of residents.
