ATLANTA, Oct. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As fall rolls in, pest control leader Orkin reminds homeowners to take precautions to help keep rodents out. Orkin released its Top 50 Rattiest Cities list today. Chicago topped the list again, after previously ranking first in 2014. The Midwest region had the greatest number of cities on the list, with 13 in the top 50.

https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20161016/429126

The cities are ranked by the number of rodent treatments the company performed from October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016. This ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.


    1. Chicago
    2. New York
    3. Washington D.C.
    4. Los Angeles
    5. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose
    6. Baltimore
    7. Philadelphia
    8. Minneapolis-St. Paul
    9. Detroit
    10. Denver
    11. Seattle-Tacoma
    12. Boston
    13. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale
    14. Dallas-Ft. Worth
    15. Cleveland
    16. Atlanta
    17. Hartford & New Haven, Conn.
    18. Pittsburgh
    19. Indianapolis
    20. Portland, Ore.
    21. Houston
    22. Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
    23. Milwaukee
    24. Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Va.
    25. Richmond-Petersburg, Va.
    26. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y.
    27. Charlotte, N.C.
    28. St. Louis
    29. Buffalo, N.Y.
    30. Kansas City, Mo.
    31. Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.
    32. Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Calif.
    33. Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich.
    34. Cincinnati
    35. Rochester, N.Y.
    36. West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, Fla.
    37. Columbus, Ohio
    38. New Orleans, La.
    39. Nashville, Tenn.
    40. Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville, S.C.
    41. Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, Mich.
    42. Albuquerque-Santa Fe, N.M.
    43. Portland-Auburn, Maine
    44. Green Bay-Appleton, Wis.
    45. Phoenix
    46. Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne, Fla.
    47. San Diego
    48. Burlington-Plattsburgh, Vt.
    49. Madison, Wis.
    50. Salt Lake City

Rodents are a prevalent problem across the United States. According to a recent survey commissioned by Orkin, 40% of people surveyed have had rodents present in their home at some point(1).

Fall marks the start of rodent season. As the weather gets colder, unwanted pests like rats and mice seek out food, water and shelter to survive the winter.

"Just like we put on a warm coat and turn up the heat indoors, rodents look for a warm place to nest," said John Kane, entomologist and Technical Director of Orkin's Midwest Region. "Fall evenings as mild as those in the mid-50's can send rodents indoors to search for warmth, where they can cause hundreds of dollars in damages to homes and businesses," Kane said, adding that they do not need much of an invitation to enter a home.

"Rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter, while mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime - making it crucial to prepare for rodent season, whether or not your city made the list," Kane said. Further, where such holes are absent, rodents can create them through constant chewing.

Once a rodent is inside, it can become an issue quickly. Rodents reproduce rapidly and like to chew on wood and electrical wires, which increases the risk of a fire in your home.

Rodents are not only a property damage threat; they are also a food contamination and health threat with the potential to cause serious illnesses.

To help people avoid the health and safety risks that are possible with these pests, Orkin recommends the following tips to help prevent rodents around the home:


    --  Inspect both inside and outside the 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 the 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.
    --  Store food properly by keeping it sealed tightly in rodent-proof
        containers like plastic bins or metal canisters. Otherwise, rodents may
        smell food and break into weaker containers.
    --  Clean up crumbs and spills as soon as they happen to avoid leaving food
        residue or sugary substances that can attract rodents.
    --  Cut back trees and bushes to at least three feet away from homes to
        avoid giving rodents a "jumping off" point to access the gutters, roof
        or other hidden openings.

Using the tips above, homes across the nation can be better equipped to keep rodents out. If there is ever a time when a rodent infestation is suspected, contact a local pest management expert as soon as possible.

For more information about rodent prevention, visit Orkin.com.

About Orkin, LLC

Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects. The company operates more than 400 locations with almost 8,000 employees. Using a proprietary, three-step approach, Orkin provides customized services to approximately 1.7 million homeowners and businesses in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, Central America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Asia, the Mediterranean and Africa. Orkin is committed to studying pest biology and applying scientifically proven methods. The company collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and eight major universities to conduct research and helps educate consumers and businesses on pest-related health threats. Learn more about Orkin at Orkin.com. Orkin is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL). Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

(1) Survey commissioned by Orkin and conducted by Russell Research

Media Contact:
Joe Williams
Jackson Spalding
404-214-2197

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161016/429126

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chicago-holds-top-spot-on-rattiest-cities-list-300345579.html

SOURCE Orkin, LLC