The Only Minnesota City to Make America’s 2026 Rattiest List

Here in the Bold North, we're familiar with pests like mosquitoes and gnats, but there's another pest that apparently is making itself right at home. A new national ranking puts one familiar Minnesota city in some pretty unwelcome company again in 2026, although its latest position might surprise you.

While we certainly have our pests here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota is somewhat lucky in that our cold climate makes it less likely to find other types of pests, like cockroaches or scorpions. Sure, there are cockroaches in the North Star State, but not to the degree that there are in many other cities and states.

Now, while you might associate rats with bigger cities like New York, Philadelphia, or Chicago, did you know that rats can, in fact, be found right here in the North Star State, too?

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that there are two types that are most common here in our neck of the woods:

Old world rats and mice are represented in Minnesota by the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus). Both species are capable of producing several litters a year and are notorious for damaging property.

So, I guess it makes sense then that this Minnesota city was just ranked in the top ten of the 2026 list of the Top 50 Rattiest Cities in the entire country. The list, commissioned by Orkin, was compiled by tracking new rodent services in owner-occupied residences from August 9, 2025, to August 9, 2026; the survey said, 'offering a snapshot of the cities with the highest levels of reported activity.'

Minneapolis Makes America's 2026 Rattiest Cities List

So which Minnesota city made the list again this year? Why, that would be the North Star State's largest city, Minneapolis, which landed just outside the top ten at number 11 on the Orkin 'Rattiest City' list this year.

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Where Minneapolis Ranks on Orkin's Top 50 Rattiest Cities List

Minneapolis actually fell two spots this year, having been ranked at #9 on the list in 2025. Curiously, no other Minnesota cities made the list this year, but one city behind the Cheddar Curtain over in my home state of Wisconsin did: Milwaukee was the only city from America's Dairyland to make the list, coming in ranked #18 this year. Both Madison, which made the list at #44 last year, and Eau Claire, which made the list at #46 last year, dropped off the list in 2026.

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Previous surveys have noted that a serious rat or mouse problem is not only a nuisance but can also be a health hazard to your home. They can chew through wires, contaminate food, and transmit diseases. Their droppings can also contain harmful bacteria and parasites.

How to Keep Rats and Mice Out of Your Home in Minnesota

To prevent mice and rats from entering your home, here’s what you can do:

• Seal possible entry points, such as cracks and openings around doors, windows, and foundations, using durable materials.
• Store food in airtight containers to reduce attraction.
• Keep your living spaces clean, promptly removing crumbs and food residues.
• Regularly dispose of garbage in tightly sealed bins to minimize food sources.
• Organize cluttered storage areas to limit potential nesting sites.