Chicago ranked 'rattiest city' by Orkin pest control for 7th straight year

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago is being called the "Rattiest City" in the U.S., according to pest control service Orkin. This marks the seventh consecutive time the company has ranked Chicago as the most rat-infested metropolis.

Los Angeles and New York are right behind the Windy City, with Washington D.C. and San Francisco on the rise.

Orkin rated cities according to the number of new rodent treatments performed over the last year. The ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

"During an unprecedented last year, the visibility of rodents increased, creating concern for homeowners and business owners alike. The pandemic-driven closure of restaurants forced rodents to find new food sources. Without food waste to consume, these pests were seen scavenging new areas and exhibiting unusual or aggressive behavior," the company said in a press release Wednesday.

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Here is how the top 10 looks:

1. Chicago

2. Los Angeles

3. New York

4. Washington, D.C.

5. San Francisco

6. Baltimore

7. Philadelphia

8. Detroit

9. Denver

10. Cleveland

Orkin recommends the following tips to help prevent rats and mice in and around the home:

• Do not leave out food. Small crumbs and garbage are popular food sources, as are dry goods such as grains and cereals. These should be kept in sealed metal or glass containers to prevent contamination.

• Avoid cluttered spaces. Cardboard objects prove attractive to rodents, as they tend to chew them up for use in their nests. Take advantage of your extra time at home to clean and organize crowded spaces around the house.

• Do not let the landscaping run wild. Tall grass with adequate harborages, such as woodpiles next to the house, can be ideal habitats for rodents. Tree branches in contact with homes can also offer rodents easy access to the upper levels of your home where they may find a way into the attic.

• Inspect both inside and outside your home for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The more quickly rodents are detected, the better.

• Look for possible entry points outside your home and seal cracks and holes if any are found. Install weather strips around entryways, especially under doors, to help block rodents from sneaking inside.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.