Chicago Retains Title as Most Rodent-Infested American City, Says Orkin
The Windy City, once again, holds the title for the most rodent-infested American city, according to the recent rankings released by pest control company Orkin. Chicago has held this notorious position for eight consecutive years.
Orkin determined the rankings by analyzing new pest control treatments for rodents over a 12-month period from September 2022 to August 2023. The company stated that the rankings indicate the efforts made by residents and businesses in addressing rodent issues, as well as the demand for pest control services.
Chicago residents have been plagued by Norway rats, tracing back their origin to Asia, according to information provided by the city government. Orkin revealed that approximately 21 million U.S. homes face rodent problems during the fall season.
In a surprising change of positions, Los Angeles rose to second place, while New York City dropped to third in the “rattiest” rankings. New York City recently appointed Kathleen Corradi as the director of rodent mitigation, also known as the “rat czar,” to implement strategies aimed at reducing rat populations by cutting off their food sources and employing innovative technologies.
Washington, D.C., and San Francisco claimed the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, solidifying their positions among the most rat-infested cities.
Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Denver maintained their spots at sixth, seventh, and eighth place, according to Orkin’s rankings. Detroit experienced a one-spot increase and secured the ninth position, while the Cleveland-Akron area rounded off the top ten.
Orkin, which has been a part of Atlanta-based Rollins Inc. since 1964, is just one of the many brands owned by the company. Rollins Inc. also owns Western Pest Services and Northwest Exterminating.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, Rollins Inc. had a market cap value of $16.33 billion.
Residents and businesses in these rodent-infested cities may find solace in the services provided by pest control companies like Orkin and the dedicated individuals tasked with mitigating the rat problem. With continued efforts, these cities can hope to reclaim their positions in a future ranking, free from the title of being the most rodent-infested.