Chicago Leads Orkin's Rattiest Cities List Yet Again

Chicago has been ranked as the 'rattiest' city in the United States for the tenth consecutive year, according to Orkin's annual survey, which tracks new residential rodent treatments from September 2023 to August 2024. The city's infrastructure, particularly its abundance of alleys and underground spaces, provides an ideal environment for rodents. Los Angeles and New York follow in second and third place, respectively, maintaining their positions in the top three for the past seven years. New York, despite its reputation, has implemented measures such as rat mitigation zones and secure trash containers, which may have contributed to its lower ranking. California's Bay Area is also experiencing a rise in rat populations due to the state's crackdown on harmful rodenticides, prompting increased demand for non-toxic rodent-proofing services. Several other cities, including Detroit and San Francisco, feature prominently on the list, highlighting a widespread urban rodent issue across the U.S.