For the tenth year in a row, Chicago was ranked the "rattiest city" in the U.S. by pest control company Orkin based on data involving residential requests for pest management services. At this point ... we're sort of proud?
Jokes aside, according to an official press release, the city's list dominance clearly illustrates Chicago's ongoing battle with rodents, "as well as the efforts taken to treat their presence, which has been driven largely by the Windy City's infrastructure and environment." Think of the various alleys and underground pipes that make up our town: They are the perfect environment for the rats to burrow in.
"Rodents can cause a lot of structural problems for property owners," said John Kane, Orkin National Accounts Entomologist & Quality Manager, in an official statement. "They can get in around piping and even chew through walls. These tiny culprits tend to chew through wiring, which poses an increased risk of fires."
Of course, the pest-related problems aren't solely plaguing Chicago: Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. round out the top five destinations in the ranking, so you can imagine how their citizens feel about the whole situation.
Orkin takes the time to also mention signs of rodent infestations—from rodent droppings seen near food sources to scratching or scurrying sounds, gnaw marks on furniture and wires, rub marks along entry points and burrows—and tips to prevent the situation from getting worse, form sealing entry points and eliminating food sources to fixing leaks and, of course, setting traps.
Needless to say, if you get to the point of exasperation, call professionals!
The 50 rattiest cities in the U.S.
1. Chicago, Illinois
2. Los Angeles, California
3. New York, New York
4. San Francisco, California
5. Washington, District of Columbia
6. Denver, Colorado
7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8. Detroit, Michigan
9. Baltimore, Maryland
10. Cleveland, Ohio
11. Minneapolis, Minnesota
12. Boston, Massachusetts
13. Hartford, Connecticut
14. Seattle, Washington
15. Indianapolis, Indiana
16. Atlanta, Georgia
17. Columbus, Ohio
18. San Diego, California
19. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
20. Sacramento, California
21. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
22. Dallas, Texas
23. Miami, Florida
24. Norfolk, Virginia
25. Houston, Texas
26. Charlotte, North Carolina
27. Grand Rapids, Michigan
28. Raleigh, North Carolina
29. Honolulu, Hawaii
30. Albuquerque, New Mexico
31. Albany, New York
32. Phoenix, Arizona
33. Greenville, South Carolina
34. Cincinnati, Ohio
35. Tampa, Florida
36. Nashville, Tennessee
37. Richmond, Virginia
38. Portland, Oregon
39. Orlando, Florida
40. New Orleans, Louisiana
41. Buffalo, New York
42. Flint, Michigan
43. Rochester, New York
44. Champaign, Illinois
45. Kansas City, Missouri
46. Burlington, Vermont
47. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
48. Syracuse, New York
49. Charleston, West Virginia
50. Greensboro, South Carolina