Nobody wants to share their home with uninvited guests, but in some American cities, the bugs and critters have practically signed the lease. A new ranking from PestControlPricing.com combines Orkin’s 2025 top-50 lists for bed bugs, rodents, mosquitoes and termites into a single score.
A perfect 200 would mean a city topped all four lists. Los Angeles comes in at No. 1 with a near-perfect 196, leading the nation in both rodents and mosquitoes. Chicago follows close behind as the bed bug capital of the country, and Washington, D.C. rounds out the top three.
And yes, Indianapolis made the cut, landing at No. 10 overall, mostly because it ranks No. 5 for bed bugs.
Cities in the Midwest and Northeast tend to struggle most with bed bugs and rats, while Southern cities fight termites and mosquitoes.
Here’s the full list of the 25 most pest-infested cities in America, ranked by composite score.
America’s top city for both rats and mosquitoes, and the mosquito capital four years running. It also ranks #2 for termites and #4 for bed bugs. Warm weather, a dense population and standing water keep pests active all year.
2. Chicago, IL (186/200)
The nation’s bed bug capital for five straight years, and #2 for both rodents and mosquitoes. Dense housing and big seasonal swings keep pressure high in every category.
3. Washington, D.C. (180/200)
The only city in the top 10 for all four pests. Row houses, the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, and a large restaurant scene keep pests coming back.
4. New York, NY (167/200)
#3 for both rodents and mosquitoes. A huge population, old infrastructure and the subway system make it one of the toughest pest environments in the country.
5. Atlanta, GA (154/200)
#4 for mosquitoes and #11 for termites. Its tree canopy and humid climate support pests all year, and mosquitoes breed heavily along Peachtree Creek and the Chattahoochee.
6. Baltimore, MD (152/200)
Top 15 in three of the four categories. Like Philadelphia, it has a lot of connected row houses, so bed bugs and rodents spread easily from home to home.
7. Dallas, TX (148/200)
#7 for mosquitoes and #10 for termites. Heat, humidity, heavily watered lawns and fast construction keep pests active from March through November.
8. Philadelphia, PA (145/200)
#8 for rodents. Dense row houses and an aging sewer system give pests a clear path down entire blocks through shared walls.
9. Detroit, MI (144/200)
#3 for bed bugs, #5 for mosquitoes and #7 for rodents. Older, poorly maintained housing gives pests plenty of ways in and places to hide.
10. Indianapolis, IN (141/200)
#5 for bed bugs, with rodent pressure growing (#14). Many older homes with basements and crawl spaces invite pests indoors in fall and winter. It’s also #16 for mosquitoes and #28 for termites.
11. Cleveland, OH (131/200)
The second-worst bed bug city in America. Long cold winters push pests indoors for about five months, and older apartment buildings let infestations spread between units. It isn’t ranked for termites.
12. San Francisco, CA (131/200)
#4 for rodents. Hills, a busy restaurant scene and aging Victorian homes help pests thrive, and the mild climate means no winter die-off.
13. Denver, CO (126/200)
Even at high altitude, it ranks #10 for both rodents and mosquitoes and #14 for bed bugs. Big temperature swings send pests indoors in fall and winter.
14. Miami, FL (124/200)
America’s worst city for termites. Constant warmth, coastal humidity and the nearby Everglades support both subterranean and drywood termites.
15. Houston, TX (123/200)
#6 for mosquitoes and #7 for termites. Gulf Coast humidity and flat, flood-prone land drive both, and Formosan termites and surges after storms add to the problem.
16. Raleigh, NC (119/200)
#13 for mosquitoes and #17 for termites. Rapid development into wooded areas puts new homes right next to established pest populations.
17. Pittsburgh, PA (115/200)
Ranked on all four lists, with its worst showing at #12 for bed bugs. Hills, rivers and century-old homes create a mix of pest problems.
18. Tampa, FL (110/200)
The third-worst termite city in the country, and #18 for mosquitoes. Subtropical humidity means pests don’t slow down in winter. It isn’t ranked for bed bugs.
19. Charlotte, NC (103/200)
Ranked on all four lists, with mosquitoes its worst category (#14). Growth into formerly wooded Piedmont land disturbs termite colonies and creates new mosquito breeding spots.
20. Cincinnati, OH (103/200)
The third Ohio city in the top 25, ranked #13 for bed bugs. Humidity in the Ohio River Valley, hilly terrain and older housing keep it on all four lists.
21. Columbus, OH (102/200)
#8 for bed bugs and ranked on all four lists. Humid summers and cold winters give it pest seasons year-round.
22. Grand Rapids, MI (101/200)
One of the list’s surprises, ranking #7 nationally for bed bugs. The page ties that to more infestations in older multi-family housing across Michigan.
23. Orlando, FL (98/200)
#5 for termites and #17 for mosquitoes. Year-round warmth, frequent thunderstorms and heavy tourist traffic keep pest pressure steady. It isn’t ranked for bed bugs.
24. Milwaukee, WI (89/200)
#10 for bed bugs and #16 for rodents. Harsh winters bunch pest activity into seasonal surges, with bed bugs and mice taking over in the cold months. It isn’t ranked for termites.
25. Minneapolis, MN (85/200)
Jumped to #9 for rodents in the latest rankings. Extreme cold drives mice indoors in the fall, and the area’s thousands of lakes give mosquitoes plenty of summer habitat. It isn’t ranked for termites.
