Chicago Named America's 'Rattiest' City for 10th Consecutive Year

Despite efforts to control rodent populations, Chicago continues to lead the nation in rat infestations, with New York and Los Angeles following closely behind.

• Orkin's annual report ranks Chicago as the top city for rodent infestations, citing the city's abundance of alleys as ideal habitats for rats.
• Los Angeles and New York City occupy the second and third spots, respectively, in the list of the most rat-infested cities in the United States.
• New York State has the highest number of cities in the top 50, with Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse joining New York City on the list.
• Rodents pose significant public health risks, spreading diseases like leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and typhus, and can cause structural damage by chewing through wiring.
• Efforts to mitigate the rat problem in New York City include the appointment of a 'rat czar' to implement science-based strategies for reducing the rodent population.

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