Rat infestations are an ongoing problem across cities in the United States. Unfortunately, the problem is only getting worse and 2022 is projected to be the worst year yet for rat-related problems. According to the annual rankings by Orkin, the top five rattiest cities of 2022 are Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.
So what makes the rattiest cities so ratty?
Each city has unique problems that make them vulnerable to rat infestations. In this article, we will explore the problems that make these cities so vulnerable to rat infestations and the steps that have been taken to try to combat the issue. We will also look at how other cities have managed to reduce their rat populations and what can be done to prevent a rat problem in your own city.
#1 Chicago: High Rat Population & Poor Sanitation
Chicago has a long history of rat infestations, dating all the way back to the early 1870s. The Windy City, for the eighth year in a row, leads the nation as the most rat-infested city. Since the Great Fire of 1871, the city has been plagued by rat-related problems and it is no surprise that the city made the list of the top five rattiest cities of 2022. The city is particularly vulnerable to rat infestations because of its poor sanitation. Chicago is one of the few American cities that does not have a centralized system for waste management. Waste management is primarily handled by private companies and neighborhoods are responsible for cleaning their own streets. This results in inconsistent service levels and makes it difficult to provide a consistent level of sanitation in all areas of the city. It also results in large amounts of waste being left sitting on the streets and in parks, which is a huge attraction for rats. It is estimated that at least 40% of the city’s waste is not being collected on a regular basis. This creates an ideal environment for rats to thrive and makes it difficult to prevent rat infestations in the city.
#2 New York City: Dense Population & Poor Sanitation
New York City is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. This means that there are lots of people living in a small amount of space and that each person has less control over their environment. This is a recipe for rat infestations and New York City has struggled with the issue for many years. In fact, the city has struggled for so long that it is no surprise that New York City made the list of the top five rattiest cities of 2022. To make matters worse, New Yorkers are not particularly vigilant about their sanitation practices. This makes it more difficult to maintain a clean and healthy environment and makes the city an attractive place for rats. It is estimated that New York City has one of the highest rates of rats in the country and that the problem is expected to get worse in the future. There are a number of reasons why New York City is so vulnerable to rat infestations. One of the biggest factors is the large amount of food waste that is left sitting on the streets each day. New Yorkers leave an estimated 1.3 million pounds of food waste uncollected each day.
#3 Los Angeles: High Rat Population & Poor Sanitation
Los Angeles is the perfect example of a city that struggles with high rat populations and poor sanitation year after year. It is no surprise that the city made the list of the top five rattiest cities of 2022. The city has struggled with rats for many years and it would be difficult for it to improve over the next few years. Los Angeles has a number of social issues that make it more vulnerable to rat infestations. One of the biggest problems that the city faces is a lack of affordable housing. Many people struggle to afford housing in the city and live in areas that are not suitable for human habitation. This puts people in close proximity to each other and makes it easier for rats to spread throughout the city. Another issue that Los Angeles faces is a large number of homeless people. Homeless people are particularly vulnerable to rat infestations because they often live in unhygienic conditions that make it easier for rats to thrive. Homeless people also face pressure to hide their living conditions and avoid government facilities that could help them improve their situations.
#4 Washington, D.C.: High Rat Population & Poor Sanitation
Washington, D.C. is a city that has struggled with high rat populations and poor sanitation for many years. This is no surprise since the city has many of the same problems that affect other vulnerable cities in the United States. One of the biggest issues that Washington, D.C. faces is a lack of affordable housing. This makes it harder for low-income families to find a suitable place to live and leaves them living in an environment that makes it easier for rats to thrive. The dense population of the city makes it easier for rats to travel between buildings and find places to live. This makes it more difficult to control the rat population in the city. Washington, D.C. also has a long history of struggling with poor sanitation. This makes it easier for rats to survive and makes it more difficult for residents to prevent and control rat infestations.
#5 San Francisco: High Rat Population & Poor Sanitation
San Francisco has a long history of dealing with high rat populations and poor sanitation. The city is no stranger to the list of the top five rattiest cities of 2022. There are a number of factors that make it difficult for San Francisco to combat rat infestations. The dense population that makes up the city and the lack of space between buildings makes it easier for rats to travel between homes. This makes it more difficult to control the rat population in the city. The high population also means that the city has a lot of people who may be struggling to get by. This makes it easier for rats to find places to live and makes it more difficult for residents to fight back against the rat infestations. The high number of rats also makes it easier for rats to spread diseases, which can make it more difficult for residents to stay healthy.
Do you live in one of the nation's rattiest cities?
According to pest control company Orkin, the following places rank in the top 25 list for the rattiest cities of 2022. The plus and minus symbols denote the change from the previous year (2021).
- Chicago
- New York (+1)
- Los Angeles (-1)
- Washington, D.C.
- San Francisco
- Philadelphia (+1)
- Baltimore (-1)
- Cleveland, Oh. (+2)
- Detroit (-1)
- Denver (-1)
- Seattle
- Minneapolis
- Boston
- Atlanta (+1)
- Indianapolis (-1)
- Pittsburgh
- Cincinnati (+2)
- San Diego (-1)
- Hartford (+2)
- Miami
- Milwaukee (+1)
- Houston (-4)
- Dallas (-3)
- Portland, OR
- Columbus, OH (+1)
Steps Taken to Combat Rat Infestations
There are a number of steps that cities can take to help combat rat infestations. One of the most important things that cities can do is to ensure that all residents are properly disposing of their waste. This can help to reduce the amount of food available for rats and can make it more difficult for rats to survive in the city. In addition, cities can take steps to make it more difficult for rats to travel between buildings. This can help to slow the spread of rat infestations and make it easier for residents to control the problem in their own homes. In the absence of natural predators, cities can also take steps to help prevent rats from entering certain buildings, such as homes and businesses, that are at greater risk of infestation. This can help to keep rats out of sensitive areas, such as hospitals, and can reduce the amount of disruption caused by rat infestations.
Examples of Successful Rat Control Strategies
The best way to tackle a rat infestation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are a number of ways to do this:
- Regularly clean your home and yard: Rats thrive on unclean environments. - Store food and garbage in airtight containers: Rats are curious creatures, and they are likely to taste anything they find lying around.
- Seal all holes large enough for rats to fit through: Rats can squeeze through small spaces, so it’s important to seal them up.
- Use snap traps: These are an effective way to catch rats without harming them and without having to touch them.
- Keep pets indoors at night: Rats tend to be more active at night, and they are likely to attack cats and dogs.
- Prevention is the best method for dealing with rats.
Tips for Preventing Rat Infestations in Your City
The best way to prevent a rat infestation is to be vigilant about sanitation. This means picking up trash, keeping your home clean, and keeping an eye out for potential rats. The sooner that you catch a rat infestation, the easier it will be to control it. Here are some tips for preventing rat infestations:
- Pick up trash: The best way to prevent a rat infestation is to keep your city clean.
- Seal food away: Rats are attracted to food, so it’s important to keep it away from them.
- Keep your home clean: A clean home is less attractive to rats.
- Keep an eye out for rats: It’s easier to catch a rat infestation early, before it gets out of control.
- Report rat infestations to your local government agency
Infestations by rats and other pests are extremely difficult to deal with. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention, so try to do your part. After all, no city wants to be on this particular list.
