Shocking: Seattle Lands on List of Most Rat-Infested U.S. Cities in 2024
One of the “most rat-infested cities” in America has been identified right here in Washington. According to Orkin’s annual list of the “50 most rat-infested cities in America” for 2024, Seattle ranked 14th overall, making it one of the rattiest cities in the country.
The rankings were determined by tracking data for new residential rodent treatments from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024. For the 10th consecutive year, Chicago claimed the top spot as the “rattiest” city in the U.S., followed closely by Los Angeles and New York. Other major cities like San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Denver also made the top 10.
John Kane, a National Accounts Entomologist and Quality Manager at Orkin explained the serious problems rodents could cause. “Rodents can cause a lot of structural problems for property owners,” Kane said. “They can get in around piping and even chew through walls. These tiny culprits often chew through wiring, increasing the risk of fires.”
Orkin recommends several preventative measures to keep rats out of homes. Homeowners should store food securely, clean up any clutter, and watch for signs of infestation. Common signs include rat droppings, scratching or scurrying noises, and gnaw marks on walls or food packaging.
Here are the top 10 “rattiest” cities in America for 2024:
- Chicago, Illinois
- Los Angeles, California
- New York, New York
- San Francisco, California
- Washington, D.C.
- Denver, Colorado
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Detroit, Michigan
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Cleveland, Ohio
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