Terminix—one of the largest pest control companies in the U.S.—recently released a ranking of cities with the most rats in the nation. Using data from more than 300 Terminix branches nationwide, the pest control company compiled a list of cities that most frequently used rodent control services in 2025.
Two Texas cities claimed spots in the top 10: Houston at No. 5 and Dallas at No. 9. Houston newly entered Terminix’s top five this year, climbing two spots from the year prior, while Dallas fell one place.
“Several factors can influence where rodent pressure shows up from year to year,” Emory Matts, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Service Manager at Terminix, said in a news release announcing the rankings. “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.”
“The cities with the most rats and mice often have three things in common: lots of people, plenty of food, and plenty of places for rodents to hide,” the company wrote. “Together, these conditions give rats and mice the resources they need to survive and reproduce.”
A few tell-tale signs can indicate a rat infestation, according to Terminix—the most common being spotting droppings.
Homeowners should also be on the lookout for holes or gnaw marks in food packaging, chewed wires or floor molding, urine stains in shelves, drawers or cabinets, footprints and tail-drags in dust, nesting debris or scratching and thumping in the walls.
As colder weather sets in, homeowners can take a few steps to keep rodents from moving indoors.
Terminix recommends sealing gaps with steel wool and caulk and adding door sweeps to exterior doors. Store dry goods in hard-sided containers, pick up pet food at night and keep trash in tightly fitted bins. To reduce outdoor shelter, move firewood away from the house, trim shrubs and branches, and clear debris piles.
“Most homeowners don’t think about rodents until they find evidence of them, and by then, the infestation may already be established,” Matts said in the release. “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.”