Washington, D.C. Ranks 5th on List of U.S. Rattiest Cities
Washington, D.C. has climbed to 5th place on a new list of the rattiest cities in the U.S., according to pest control company Orkin.
Washington, DC, October 13, 2026 — A new report from pest control company Orkin has placed Washington, D.C. in the fifth position on its annual list of the rattiest cities in the United States. This marks an increase in the city’s ranking from previous years, though the specific previous position was not provided in the summary.
The designation highlights the ongoing challenges many urban areas face with rodent populations. Orkin’s ranking is based on the number of rodent (rats and mice) services performed by the company in cities across the U.S. between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023. The specific methodology and full list of cities were not detailed in the provided summary.
While the summary does not specify the exact number of services or the precise data points used for Washington, D.C.’s placement, the ranking suggests a notable presence of rodent activity within the nation’s capital. Pest control experts frequently cite factors such as urban density, food availability, and weather patterns as contributors to rodent infestations in metropolitan environments.
The contractor identified as the source of this ranking is Orkin. No other companies or agencies were mentioned in relation to the data or the city’s ranking. Further details regarding the extent of rodent issues in Washington, D.C., or specific mitigation efforts being undertaken by city officials or residents were not included in the summary. The contractor’s methodology for determining rankings is proprietary.
Story summarized from the original created by Sam.Kosmas@fox.com (Sam Kosmas) on www.fox5dc.com, see more information here.
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