Eastern PA City Among Nation's Most Rat Infested, Pest Control Company Says

PHILADELPHIA — Bad news, Philly: we've got a rat problem. That's according to pest control company Terminix, at least.

The company recently released its list of the U.S. cities with the most rats.

Terminix ranked the rattiest cities based on more than 165,000 service requests nationwide from more than 300 Terminix branches.

The list features cities where residents used rodent control services most frequently in 2024 in Terminix service areas.

Philadelphia, unfortunately, was ranked No. 4 on the list.

But the good news is Philadelphia didn't get worse: it was also ranked fourth in 2024.

According to Terminix, Philadelphia's rat issue is made worse by dense housing and aging infrastructure creating entry points for rodents, extended breeding seasons due to mild winters, and access to home via construction and development.

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

Signs of rats include:

• small droppings in the home, including the back of drawers and cabinets, and on the floor along the walls;
• holes or gnaw marks in food packaging;
• chewed wires or floor molding;
• urine stains in the corner of shelves, the back of drawers, or cabinets;
• footprints and tail-drags in dust;
• nesting debris found (chewed paper, cardboard, insulation, other fibrous materials);
• and scratching or thumping in the walls.

According to Terminix, these tips can keep rodents out of homes:

• 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 yards — 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 top 10 worst cities for rats in the United States are:

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