Chicago made headlines in 2025 when its decade-long run as the rattiest city in America finally came to an end.
But if recent findings are any indication, the Windy City is still a front-runner for the title of rat king.
Orkin Pest Control has released its annual roundup of the Rattiest Cities in America for 2026, and Chicago is just one spot from the top.
Here’s a look at the data.
Chicago is America’s no. 2 rattiest city
Orkin Pest Control has ranked Chicago the second-rattiest city in America for 2026.
Chicago is out-ratted only by Los Angeles, California. Additionally, we’re just ahead of New York City on the rat scale.
Orkin gathered its findings by tracking the number of new residential rodent treatments in each city between August 9, 2025, and August 9, 2026.
Notably, the top four rattiest cities—Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco—remained the same from 2025 to 2026.
Cities including Baltimore, Denver, Cleveland, Detroit, and Washington D.C. moved up the list during the same time period.
Understanding Chicago’s rat problem
Taking these numbers into account, it’s worth asking—what exactly fuels Chicago’s rat problem?
According to Orkin, our city’s abundance of food and water sources, plus underground areas for nesting make it a hotbed for rat activity.
Even the infamous “Chiberia” phenomenon isn’t enough to drive out rat populations.
“There’s no single type of city or climate that’s immune to rodent pressure,” said Dr. Shannon Sked, National Technical Director at Orkin.
“Rats and mice are highly adaptable and can thrive in communities across the country wherever they can find food, water and shelter. That’s why prevention and early detection are important for homeowners, regardless of where they live.”
Orkin notes that fall and winter are especially pressing times to be aware of rat activity, as rodent populations seek shelter indoors amid the changing temperatures.
Rodents can spread disease and cause structural damage to homes, so prevention and monitoring are key safety concerns as the weather turns cold.
For easy-to-follow rat prevention, Orkin recommends following its G.N.A.W model:
- Guard your home by sealing gaps, holes, cracks, and other potential entry points.
- Never leave food outside for wild animals.
- Avoid clutter, which can serve as nesting material for rats.
- Watch for signs like droppings, bite marks, burrows, or scampering noises.
Click here for more information on America’s rattiest cities and rodent infestation prevention.
