San Francisco ranked 5th 'rattiest city' in the US, report says
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco is being recognized for something no city wants.
Pest control service Orkin lists San Francisco among the "rattiest" places in the U.S. In fact, it's number five on the list of most infested cities.
Orkin says it ranked metro regions by the number of new rodent treatments performed from Sept. 1, 2019 to Aug. 31, 2020, including homes and businesses.
"As reported in the spring, 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 earlier this week.
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Chicago takes the number one spot for the sixth year in a row.
Here is how the top 10 looks:
1. Chicago
2. Los Angeles
3. New York
4. Washington, D.C.
5. San Francisco
6. Detroit
7. Philadelphia (+3)
8. Baltimore (+4)
9. Denver
10. Minneapolis (-2)
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.
