Washington, D.C. is ranked 4th on Orkin’s 2018 list of America’s “Rattiest Cities” released on Monday, according to a new report from pest control company Orkin.
Founded in 1901, Orkin is an Atlanta-based company that provides essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects.
Orkin came out with the “Rattiest Cities” rankings for the fourth year in 2018. The rankings are based on the number of residential and commercial treatments on rodents the company did from September 15, 2017 to September 15, 2018.
Last year, D.C. was ranked 5th in the Orkin ranking. This year the district’s rodent problem has worsened as its ranking has gone up by one position. Chicago has stayed at number one on the rat rankings list consistently
for the past four years.
According to National Pest Management Association, every winter rats enter an estimated 21 million homes in the U.S. “Rodents don’t need much of an invitation to enter your home. Rats can squeeze through an opening as
small as a quarter, while a mouse can wedge its way into a hole smaller than a dime,” said Chelle Hartzer, an Orkin entomologist.
To effectively counter any potential health and safety risks from rodents, Orkin has recommended residents to clean homes inside and out, keep a check on rodent droppings, seal all cracks and entry points larger than ¼ of
an inch, fit weather strips at the bottom of exterior doors, and cut overgrown branches close to the houses.
Rodents can be difficult to control and also pose potential health risks. “To effectively control rodent introductions, contact a trained pest professional who can assess your situation, implement a sound solution that is designed just for your home and monitor for improvements over time,” recommends
Orkin.
More information on safety measures for rodent prevention is available at Orkin.com/rodents.Mayor Bowser’s #DCFY19 budget expands the city's fight against rats by adding $1.4 million for new and innovative strategies like contraceptive bait, and dry ice that suffocates rats in their burrows. To report a rat problem call 311. pic.twitter.com/0Jms9C70NS
— DC Health (@_DCHealth) October 18, 2018