America’s Rodent Hotspots: Terminix Unveils 2024 Top 50 Most Infested Cities

Rodent infestations are surging again this fall, according to the 2024 Top 50 Most Rodent-Infested U.S. Cities Report from Terminix®, a Rentokil Terminix company. Based on more than 165,000 service requests nationwide, the report reveals consistently high rodent activity year over year, underscoring the persistent threat to homeowners.

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“Rodents don’t just appear—they invade homes where conditions are inviting,” said Emory Matts, board-certified entomologist and technical service manager at Terminix. “With residential rodent activity climbing year over year, homeowners who wait risk costly damage to their property and serious health hazards for their families.”

Several factors are driving rodents closer to homes, including:

• Urban growth and home construction: Rapid development can leave gaps and entry points in new and older homes that rodents readily exploit.
• Rodents move with people: As neighborhoods expand and populations shift, rodents often travel alongside, seeking food and shelter in residential areas.
• Warmer weather extends breeding: Milder winters and longer warm seasons lead to longer breeding periods, increasing rodent populations around homes.

Top 10 Most Rodent-Infested Cities:

1. New York
2. Los Angeles (+1)
3. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose (-1)
4. Philadelphia
5. Chicago (+1)
6. Washington, D.C. (Hagerstown) (-1)
7. Houston
8. Dallas-Ft. Worth (+1)
9. Boston (Manchester) (-1)
10. Atlanta

Additional cities showing notable increases in residential rodent activity include Detroit, Tampa-St. Pete (Sarasota), Memphis, Nashville, San Antonio, Austin and Birmingham.

How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves & Their Families

Terminix recommends these simple steps to keep rodents out:

• Seal entry points: Check your foundation, attic and garage for gaps or cracks and seal them with caulk or steel wool. Install door sweeps to block small spaces.
• Protect food sources: Keep pantry goods in sealed containers, avoid leaving pet food out overnight and secure outdoor trash with tight-fitting lids.
• Maintain your yard: Trim trees and shrubs away from your home, clear debris and reduce standing water. Bird feeders and compost piles should be made rodent-resistant.

“The best defense against rodents is prevention,” added Matts. “Simple steps like sealing gaps, securing food and keeping landscaping trimmed back can go a long way toward protecting your home. If homeowners act now, they can avoid costly repairs and reduce health risks associated with an infestation.”

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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