'Playground for rats': Chicago crowned 'rattiest city' in America for 10th consecutive year

<p><p>For the 10th consecutive year, a popular pest control company has crowned Chicago the "<a href="/story/news/health/2024/10/06/outsmarting-new-york-rats/75374395007/">rattiest city</a>."</p><p>Orkin, an American pest control company founded in 1901, announced the honor on Monday.</p><p>"The streets of Chicago are a playground for rats. They chew constantly to explore new resources, contaminate food, and damage property,” John Kane, Orkin's national accounts entomologist and quality manager, said in a news release. “If we don't act, they’ll keep growing in numbers, causing bigger problems."  </p><p>The Windy City beat out Los Angeles (second place) and New York (third place), according to Orkin. All three cities have faced "consistent rodent problems," and all have ranked in the top three since 2017, the company said.</p><p>As colder weather approaches, Orkin warns that rodents will search to find warm places to take shelter.</p><img width="100%" /><p><strong>Rodent invasion:</strong><a href="/story/news/health/2024/10/06/outsmarting-new-york-rats/75374395007/">Colonies of big-city rat experts work to outsmart rodent community</a></p><h2>Chicago budgeted $14.8 million to reduce rodents in 2024</h2><p>Chicago budgeted $14.8 million for its "Bureau of Rodent Control," which "eliminates rodents, educates residents on how to reduce the risk of rodents on their property, and removes dead animals," according to <a href="https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/obm/supp_info/2024Budget/2024-Budget-Overview_CityofChicago.pdf">city documents</a> obtained by USA TODAY.</p><p>The city documents show that Chicago's 2024 rat "mitigation and abatement" budget is $1.5 million more than the amount allocated in 2023.</p><p>It is unclear how much Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson will spend to prevent the spread of rats next year as the <a href="https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/obm/supp_info/2025Budget/2025-Chicago-Budget-Forecast.pdf">city's 2025 budget forecast</a> does not mention rodent abatement.</p><p>USA TODAY contacted Johnson's office and the city of Chicago on Monday but has not received a response.</p><a href="https://app.adjust.com/1el9h6z4">Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news</a> <a href="/story/news/nation/2024/10/16/chicago-caracal-cat-captured-hoffman-estates/75703241007/">Wild caracal cat native to Africa and Asia found roaming Chicago suburb</a> <a href="/story/life/animalkind/2024/10/14/bella-dog-rescue-ocala-florida/75673566007/">Video shows rescuer lowered into 14-foot hole in Florida to rescue trapped dog</a> <a href="/story/graphics/2024/10/15/giant-pandas-arrive-national-zoo-dc/75683226007/">Panda express: Washington welcomes two new giant pandas to National Zoo</a> <a href="/story/news/nation/2024/10/10/sea-lion-shot-california-beach-noaa-reward-offered/75605210007/">Who shot a sea lion on a California beach? NOAA offers $20K reward for information</a> <a href="/story/news/nation/2024/10/08/raccoons-swarm-washington-home-video/75570742007/">Video shows nearly 100 raccoons swarm woman's yard, prompting 911 call in Washington</a><img width="100%" /><h2>What species of rat is invading Chicago?</h2><p>The species of rat predominately found in Chicago is the Norway rat, according to the city's <a href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/rodent/svcs/rats_in_chicago.html">Bureau of Rodent Control</a>. The Norway rat originated in Asia centuries ago and has an average life span of six to 12 months, the bureau added.</p><p>"Norway rats prefer to live in burrows in the ground," according to the bureau. "They are excellent climbers and swimmers and most active at night. They have very hard teeth and can chew through wood and plaster or any other material that is softer than their teeth. They can crawl through holes the size of a quarter, tread water for three days and land unharmed after a five-story fall."</p><p>Female Norway rats, even at the age of two to three months, can produce four to seven litters per year with each litter containing eight to 12 babies, the bureau said. The female rodents can become impregnated within 48 hours after giving birth, and the number, size and survivability of their litters depend on the amount of food and shelter available to them.</p><p>Norway rats prefer fresh food but will eat a variety of things, including pet food, dog feces, garbage, plants and each other if meals are scarce, according to the bureau.</p><h2>What cities have the most rats?</h2><p>Here are the cities with the <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-year-marks-a-decade-of-chicago-as-the-rattiest-city-in-america-302280900.html">highest rat populations</a>, according to Orkin.</p><ol>Chicago, Ill.Los Angeles, Calif.New York, N.Y.San Francisco, Cali.Washington, D.C.Denver, Colo.Philadelphia, Pa.Detroit, Mich.Baltimore, Md.Cleveland, OhioMinneapolis, Minn.Boston, Mass.Hartford, Conn.Seattle, Wash.Indianapolis, Ind.Atlanta, Ga.Columbus, OhioSan Diego, Calif.Milwaukee, Wis.Sacramento, Calif.Pittsburgh, Pa.Dallas, TexasMiami, Fla.Norfolk, Va.Houston, TexasCharlotte, N.C.Grand Rapids, Mich.Raleigh, N.C.Honolulu, HawaiiAlbuquerque, N.M.</ol></p>