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SAN DIEGO, CA —San Diego is known for lots of great things, from sunny weather to breathtaking beaches.
However, one thing that San Diegans may not want to be known for is the overwhelming number of rats sneaking through streets and backyards.
But that is exactly the case, according to a new ranking by the pest control company Orkin. In fact, San Diego was ranked 17th on this year’s list of 50 “rattest” cities.
Each year, the company ranks metropolitan areas based on the number of new rodent treatments performed from September 15 of the previous year to September 15 of the current year. The ranking includes both private and commercial treatments.
The company comes to a conclusion: The number of rats in the streets of the city skyrocketed in 2020.
“The pandemic-induced restaurant closings have forced rodents to find new sources of food,” Orkin said in a press release. “Without consuming any food waste, these pests have been seen conquering new territories and exhibiting unusual or aggressive behavior.”
As life slowly returned to normal after the business closings and pandemic lockdowns ended, food and water sources for rodents were replenished. In New York City alone, the number of rodent complaints filed with the city in March 2021 rose 80 percent, Bloomberg reported.
At one point, the presence of rodents became so noticeable that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued rodent control guidelines on how to keep rats and mice out of homes and businesses, Orkin said.
Nevertheless, the five hottest cities according to this year’s list have not changed compared to 2020.
Chicago ranked first for the seventh straight year, followed by Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, DC, and San Francisco.
Cleveland, which finished 10th, was in the top 10 this year. Baltimore also moved closer to the top 5, moving up two places to 6th.
Check out Orkin’s full list of the seediest towns.
While rats can cause significant structural damage and pose many health risks to humans, according to Orkin, there are ways to keep mice and rats out of your home:
Don’t skip foods: Small crumbs and trash are popular sources of food, as are dry goods like grains and grains. These should be kept in sealed metal or glass containers to avoid contamination.
Avoid cluttered spaces: Cardboard objects prove to be attractive to rodents, which they like to chew up for use in nests. Use any extra time at home to clean and organize crowded rooms in the house.
Don’t let landscaping run wild: Tall grass with adequate housing, such as piles of wood next to the house, can be ideal habitats for rodents. Branches in contact with houses can also provide easy access for rodents 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, building pits and chafing points on skirting boards and walls. The faster rodents are recognized, the better.
Look for possible entry points outside of your home and seal up cracks and holes, if any. Install weather strips around entrances, especially under doors, to prevent rodents from sneaking in.
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