D.C. Ranks as a Top Rodent Infested City

Beating out cities like New York and Atlanta, D.C. ranks on the list for top rodent issues.

Orkin, an international pest control services company, created a list of the top 20 rattiest cities based off of the number of rodent treatments they performed in 2013.

D.C. is ranked as number three on the list for rat problems.

“Each city on this list is a major urban area that provides ideal conditions for rats and mice to thrive,” Ron Harrison, Ph.D., Orkin Technical Services Director and entomologist said.

The top 20 cities with rodent treatments include:

1. Chicago
2. Los Angeles
3. Washington, D.C.-Hagerstown
4. New York
5. San Francisco-Oak-San Jose
6. Seattle-Tacoma
7. Detroit
8. Cleveland-Akron-Canton
9. Baltimore
10. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale
11. Dallas-Ft. Worth
12. Denver
13. Houston
14. Atlanta
15. Boston-Manchester
16. Minnepolis-St. Paul
17. Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto
18. Syracuse
19. Indianapolis
20. Charlotte

Orkin estimates that 21 million homes are invaded by rats and mice every fall in the U.S. Rodents pose health risks since they are known carriers of diseases.

“Commensal rodents depend on humans and their resources to survive, so unless residents and city officials take proactive steps to prevent rodents, infestations can easily get out of hand,” Harrison said.

For more information on the rattiest cities list visit here.

Photo Credit: Orkin.com