Why Rodent Activity is on the Rise in Los Angeles – What Property Owners Can Do

Rodent Activity is on the Rise in Los Angeles County.

Learn What Property Owners Can Do to Protect Their Homes & Businesses

Over the last three years many Angelenos have noticed more rats and mice in neighborhoods, alleyways, apartment buildings and commercial properties. From neighborhood Yelp complaints and local news items to pest-control companies reporting higher call volumes, the signal is clear: rodent activity across Los Angeles County has increased — and several converging forces are driving that trend.

Below we’ll walk through the main causes we’re seeing (weather and habitat, sanitation and urban services, housing and zoning patterns, and regulatory changes), explain the public-health and property risks, and close with practical steps property owners and managers can take — including how Versa-Tech Pest Management helps protect homes and businesses.

What the Data and Reporting are Telling Us about Los Angeles Rat Activity

National and local pest-control rankings and reporting show Los Angeles moving up in “rattiest city” lists in recent years, and pest companies and news outlets are publishing stories about more frequent, larger infestations. Versa-Tech’s data placed Los Angeles near the top based on new rodent treatments, and multiple regional reports and local news features since 2023 have described rising rat problems across neighborhoods and commercial corridors.

This rise shows up in two ways: (1) more calls and treatments recorded by pest-control companies, and (2) more public complaints and news coverage from residents, workers and businesses seeing rats in and around buildings. Those two signals together suggest a real uptick in rodent pressure on the built environment, not just short-lived local flare-ups.

Why LA County Rodent Populations have Grown — the Main Drivers

Several factors have combined to produce the local increase in rodent activity. No single cause explains everything; instead, it’s the intersection of environmental change, urban infrastructure and human behavior.

1. Weather and habitat: Wetter, Greener Seasons can Boost Rodent Numbers

Periods of heavier rain and milder winters lead to increased ground cover, seeds and insect prey — all of which support larger rodent populations. Southern California’s wetter cycles in 2022–2024 (and broader climate variability) have resulted in greener foothills and more food and shelter for rodents, and wildlife researchers have long documented how rainfall-driven resource booms trigger rodent population pulses. Recent reporting from California outlets, including the Los Angeles Times has linked increased wildlife (including rodents) to those wetter seasons.

2. Sanitation, Trash and Public-Space Maintenance

Trash accumulation — from poorly maintained alleys, overflowing dumpsters, illegal dumping and encampments — creates abundant food sources that sustain rat populations in dense urban areas. National reporting on the rise in urban rats repeatedly points to trash management as a central controllable factor, and local coverage has tied rat complaints to sanitation challenges in parts of Los Angeles. Where municipal sanitation or private property waste services lag, rats are quick to exploit the food and shelter.

3. Housing Density, Mixed-use Development, and Built-Environment Change

Los Angeles has seen significant infill, more mixed-use projects and growth in accessory dwelling units (ADUs), as well as redevelopment that temporarily displaces animals. While adding housing is essential, denser living and more mixed commercial/residential sites means more places where food, rubbish and human activity overlap — and that creates concentrated opportunities for rodents unless waste and pest-proofing are handled proactively. Construction and demolition can also disturb rodent burrows and drive animals into nearby buildings. City zoning changes that encourage higher density without simultaneously boosting sanitation and building-maintenance resources can unintentionally increase localized rodent pressure.

(For guidance on reporting and code enforcement in LA County see the County public-health resources.)

4. Homelessness and Encampments (public-health and logistical pressures)

Concentrations of unsheltered people and encampments — especially when trash collection and outreach services are insufficient — create additional localized waste and shelter that attract rodents. Multiple journalists and public-health observers have linked rising homelessness in Los Angeles County to increased sanitation burdens that can exacerbate rodent problems if not managed with targeted public-health and waste-management strategies.

5. Regulatory Changes Around Rodenticide Usage in Los Angeles County

Over the past several years California has tightened restrictions on widely used rodenticides — particularly anticoagulant rodenticides — which changes how pest professionals and property owners are allowed to respond. The state prohibited broad consumer uses of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) with AB 1788 (effective Jan 1, 2021) and later placed new restrictions on the use and sale of diphacinone (AB 1322, effective Jan 1, 2024).

Lawmakers also advanced further limits (for example legislation in 2023–2024 to restrict or control other first-generation products) that alter what chemical tools are available for some applications. These laws were enacted to protect non-target wildlife and ecosystems, but they also mean pest managers must rely more on integrated, multifaceted strategies (exclusion, trapping, sanitation and licensed-applicator options) rather than readily deploying certain past toxins.

The Real Risks of Rodent Infestations to LA County Homeowners and Businesses

When rats move into or near buildings they do more than cause an aesthetic nuisance. They chew wiring and insulation (fire risk), contaminate food and surfaces (health risk), burrow under foundations and landscaping (structural risk) and can attract fleas and other disease vectors. For restaurants, food retailers and multi-unit housing the reputational and economic costs — inspections, closures, legal claims and lost customers — can be severe. Given the rising incidence, property owners should treat prevention and timely intervention as essential asset-protection measures. 

What effective rodent management looks like in today’s regulatory and urban context for Los Angeles & Orange Counties

Because of the statewide restrictions on certain rodenticides and the complex urban drivers of infestations, effective rodent management in Los Angeles County now emphasizes integrated pest management (IPM). Key components include:

Proofing and Exclusion. Seal entry points, repair gaps in foundations and screens, cap vents and remove structural harborage where possible. Rodents are persistent but exclusion reduces repeated incursions.

Sanitation and Waste Management. Improve dumpster maintenance, secure trash containers, remove food sources (including bird feed and exposed compost), and coordinate with neighbors and property managers on shared sanitation responsibilities.

Rodent Trapping and Mechanical Control. As chemical options have narrowed, trapping (snap traps, tamper-resistant stations used by licensed pros) and targeted baiting under label and legal restrictions are increasingly important. Only licensed applicators can use certain restricted materials.

Landscape and Site Design Changes. Reduce dense groundcover right next to foundations, grade soils to remove burrowing opportunities, and store materials (wood, pallets, drywall) off the ground.

Ongoing Rodent Monitoring and Sanitation Contracts. Regular inspections and proactive maintenance catch issues early and reduce the need for emergency interventions.

Coordination with city and county resources. For multi-unit sites or contiguous corridors, working with LA County public-health channels and code-enforcement enables coordinated abatement and complaint follow-up.

Affordability — the Cost of Pest Control and Why Rodent Prevention Pays

Many property owners tell us cost is a major concern. Emergency fumigations or repeated treatments after an infestation are often far more expensive than scheduled prevention: proofing, regular inspections, rodent-proof trash enclosures and maintenance contracts. Because state law now restricts certain quick chemical fixes, the industry has shifted toward higher-labor (but often more durable) solutions: targeted trapping, exclusion work, and integrated sanitation plans.

That can raise up-front costs, but it also produces longer-lasting results and lowers long-term risk and repeat expense. Industry reporting and local pest providers confirm higher volumes of rodent treatments and a growing market for exclusion and IPM services in recent years. California’s business climate of having the highest business costs, labor rate, legal costs, fuel and insurance in the country makes good rodent services out of reach for some residents and businesses.

Practical Checklist for Property Owners and Managers (quick actions)

→ Walk your property monthly to look for burrows, droppings, chew marks and entry points. Seal gaps larger than ¼ inch.

→ Replace or retrofit insecure dumpster lids and install concrete trash pads where illegal dumping is common.

→ Trim groundcover and clear debris within 5–10 feet of foundations.

→ Store firewood and materials elevated off the ground.

→ For multi-unit properties, implement a building-wide trash and food-storage policy and educate tenants.

→ Hire licensed pest-management professionals to develop a prevention plan — include rodent exclusion work, rat trapping protocols, and regular monitoring reports.

If you see signs of rodent infestation, act quickly: early intervention prevents escalation and larger structural remediation costs. (If you rent a unit you occupy, report pest issues promptly in writing to the landlord — California tenant protections require landlords to address infestations.)

How Versa-Tech Pest Management Helps Control Rodent Infestations

At Versa-Tech Pest Management we specialize in practical, long-term rodent control and prevention tailored to Los Angeles County’s unique mix of climate, density and regulatory constraints. Our approach is built around three pillars:

Assessment & reporting. We start with a detailed pest inspection and a written action plan so you understand the scope and recommended next steps.

Rodent Exclusion & IPM-first Strategy. We prioritize rodent proofing, trapping and sanitation coordination; when chemical tools are appropriate we follow California regulations and only use restricted products under licensed applicator protocols.

Sustained Rodent Prevention. We offer scheduled monitoring visits, tenant/property-manager education, and documentation that helps with insurance and compliance needs.

TRUSTED, ON-GOING RODENT PREVENTION & CONTROL FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

If you’re seeing more rats, or just want to be proactive, Versa-Tech provides fast inspections, no-nonsense recommendations and long-term rodent prevention programs designed to lower your risk and protect your property value. Contact Versa-Tech Pest Management today for a professional rodent inspection and customized prevention plan — because the best results come from action taken before a small problem becomes an expensive crisis.