How bad is the rat problem in Texas? Here’s where cities landed on rodent-infested list
How bad is the Texas rat problem? The state is among the 50 most rodent-infested cities in the nation, according to a new report by Orkin.
The company recently released its list of the Top 50 Rattiest Cities in 2024, based on residential calls for service.
Chicago was No. 1 on the list for the 10th straight year, Orkin said, thanks to its “abundance of alleys” and other environments that provide hidden havens for rodents.
Los Angeles came in second place, while New York City was third.
“Rodents can cause a lot of structural problems for property owners,” said John Kane, Orkin national accounts entomologist and quality manager. “They can get in around piping and even chew through walls. These tiny culprits tend to chew through wiring, which poses an increased risk of fires.”
In addition, Orkin said, rats and mice can devour food and reproduce quickly.
Rodents can also spread diseases to humans, including leptospirosis, typhus, and salmonella infections, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s where Dallas landed on Orkin’s list:
Why is Dallas among ‘rattiest’ cities in US?
Dallas ranked 22nd on Orkin’s list of the 50 worst cities for rodent infestations in the United States. The only other city in Texas on the list, Houston, ranked 25th.
Orkin said it based its rankings on data collected by tracking new residential rodent treatments from Sept. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31.
“Mice and rats are a serious concern to the millions of homeowners who deal with infestations each fall,” Orkin said. “As the weather cools, rodents seek warm shelter and food sources.”
What are worst cities for rodent infestations?
These are the most rodent-infested cities in the nation, according to Orkin:
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
San Francisco
Washington, D.C.
Denver
Philadelphia
Detroit
Baltimore
Cleveland
Minneapolis
Boston
Hartford, Conn
Seattle
Indianapolis
Atlanta
Columbus, Ohio
San Diego
Milwaukee
Sacramento
Pittsburgh
Dallas
Miami
Norfolk
Houston
What are common signs of a rodent infestation?
According to Orkin, these are some common signs of a rodent infestation:
- Rodent droppings, commonly spotted near food sources, along baseboards or inside cabinets.
- Scratching or scurrying sounds, especially at night when rodents are more active.
- Gnaw marks on walls, furniture, wires or food packaging,
- Rub marks along baseboards or around entry points.
- Burrows around the foundation of a building or in piles of debris.
How can I keep rats of my home?
Orkin offered a number of tips for property owners seeking to prevent rodent infestations or keep an infestation from worsening. They include:
Seal entry points, including gaps around windows, doors and pipes.
Eliminate food sources by storing food in sealed containers, cleaning up spilled food, keeping garbage in tightly sealed bins, and removing pet food from areas accessible by rodents.
Maintain outdoor areas and clean up debris that rodents could use as nesting materials or shelter.
Patch trash containers
Eliminate water sources by fixing leaky faucets, pipes or standing water.
Set traps in areas where rodent activity is high.