Top 50 Rattiest U.S. Cities Revealed

The top five, according to Orkin, are not limited to one geographic region.

As the temperatures outside decrease, the rodent sightings increase. Pest control company Orkin released its Top 50 Rattiest Cities list today, and for the fourth consecutive time, Chicago takes the top spot. To create its list of 50 cities (shown below), Orkin ranked metro regions by the number of new rodent control treatments performed from September 15, 2017 to September 15, 2018. This ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

rodent control
Orkin ranked metro regions by the number of new rodent treatments performed from September 15, 2017 – September 15, 2018. This ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

During the colder months, rodent activity increases as these pests seek shelter in warm areas with readily-available food and water. The National Pest Management Association reports rodents enter an estimated 21 million homes in the U.S. each winter.

Commercial buildings will benefit from inspections aimed at looking for any infestations for which rodent control measures might need to be put in place. Rats chew through just about anything and can cause structural damage as they gnaw on electrical wires, gas lines and support beams. It’s estimated approximately 25% of unexplained fires start from rodent chewing.

“Aside from causing structural damage, rodents can carry hundreds of pathogens that can transmit various diseases and dangerous parasites. Additionally, they constantly leave behind droplets of urine as they travel each day. These droppings can contribute to asthma and allergic reactions, especially in children,” said Chelle Hartzer, an Orkin entomologist.