Big cities are bustling habitats for millions, but there’s also a hidden population thriving in their shadows. Depending on where you are in the U.S., there could easily be millions of rats right beneath your feet.
Pest control experts can’t give a precise number of rats globally, but they suggest a ratio of about one to two rats for every person. With approximately 8.2 billion people on the planet, that could mean anywhere from 8.2 billion to a staggering 16.4 billion rats.
There’s a common saying that in many urban areas, you might not be more than six feet away from a mouse. This saying highlights how prevalent rodents can be, especially since they thrive where humans leave behind waste.
According to Orkin, a leading pest control company, they’ve released their annual ranking of the U.S. cities with the highest rodent activity. They base their findings on the number of rodent-related service requests from residences over the past year. This year, Los Angeles has taken the top spot, rising to what they’re calling the “Most Fashionable City” for rats. Chicago, which has held the No. 1 position for over a decade, has slipped to second place.
Orkin states that warmer climates might help rats survive better, which could explain why cities like Los Angeles are climbing the ranks. Following closely behind Chicago are New York and San Francisco. Interestingly, Hartford, Connecticut, wasn’t even on last year’s top ten list but now claims the fifth position.
Here’s a quick look at the top five cities:
- Los Angeles (+1)
- Chicago (-1)
- New York (0)
- San Francisco (0)
- Hartford, Connecticut (+8)
For a more extensive list detailing which cities have rat issues, you can check out Orkin’s complete report.
