Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati Make Top 50 ‘Rattiest’ Cities List

Three Ohio cities are among the “rattiest” in America, according to Orkin’s annual list of the top 50 cities with the most rodent infestations. Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati ranked 10th, 17th, and 34th, respectively, in the 2024 report.

For the 10th consecutive year, Chicago holds the top spot as the “rattiest” city in the U.S., followed closely by Los Angeles and New York. The rankings are based on data collected from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024, regarding residential rodent treatments.

John Kane, Orkin’s National Accounts Entomologist & Quality Manager, highlighted the significant risks that rodents pose to property owners. “Rodents can cause major structural damage, chewing through walls, wiring, and pipes, which can lead to dangerous fires,” he warned.

To prevent rodent infestations, Orkin recommends keeping food stored securely, reducing clutter around the home, and looking out for signs of an infestation, such as droppings, gnaw marks on walls or food packaging, and strange noises like scratching or scurrying.

Here are the top 10 “rattiest” cities in the U.S. for 2024:

1. Chicago, Illinois
2. Los Angeles, California
3. New York, New York
4. San Francisco, California
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Denver, Colorado
7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8. Detroit, Michigan
9. Baltimore, Maryland
10. Cleveland, Ohio

For a complete list of the most rat-infested cities across the U.S., visit Orkin’s website.

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