Rattiest US Cities Revealed

For the seventh year in a row, Chicago was No. 1 in Orkin’s annual list of the Top 50 Rattiest Cities.

Orkin ranked U.S. metro regions by the number of new rodent treatments it performed from September 15, 2020, to September 15, 2021. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

After Chicago, the remaining top ten cities in order include Los Angeles; New York; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco; Baltimore (which moved up two spots); Philadelphia; Detroit (which moved down two spots); Denver; and Cleveland, Ohio (which moved up one spot). New to the list this year is Portland, Maine, which was listed at 38, and Louisville, Kentucky, at 40.

Pest control experts say rodent visibility increased in the last year, as the pandemic-driven closure of restaurants forced rodents to find new food sources. Without food waste to consume, these pests were seen scavenging new areas and exhibiting unusual or aggressive behavior.

When city residents returned home and to work after the mass exodus following the outbreak of COVID-19, the rats were not far behind. With humans back in their homes and offices, food and water sources were replenished for rodents. In New York alone, the number of rodent complaints to a city hotline in March 2021 surged by 80%, higher than pre-pandemic levels.

“As people resume normal activities, food availability will rise,” says Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist. “Rodents are experts at sniffing out food and shelter, and they’re resilient in their ways to obtain both.”

Rodents can cause severe structural damage to facilities with their strong jaws and burrowing skills. They can gnaw through electrical wires, water pipes, and gas lines. Rodents also can spread disease, such as hantavirus and plague, and can contaminate food sources.

Managing an influx in rodent populations and activity in major U.S. cities should remain a top concern for facility managers. Pest experts recommend paying extra attention to rodent attractants:

• Securely store food and food waste – Crumbs and garbage are popular food sources for rodents, along with dry goods such as grains and cereals.
• Clear out clutter – Cardboard objects are attractive to rodents, as then chew them up for their nests.
• Don’t let landscaping run wild – Tall grass and woodpiles next to buildings make ideal rodent habitats.
• Inspect inside and outside your facility – Look for rodent droppings, burrows, and rub marks along baseboards and walls.
• Look for possible entry points – Seal any cracks and holes. Install weather strips around entryways, especially under doors, to keep rodents from sneaking inside.