Raleigh's rat problem is among the worst for cities nationwide, according to a new list.
Orkin, a pest control company, ranked Raleigh 26th among its 2020 Top 50 Rattiest Cities list, which can be viewed on its official website. The City of Oaks moved down two spots from the previous year.
Orkin noted in its report that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it an uptick of rodents looking for new food sources amid restaurant closures.
“The pandemic-driven closure of restaurants forced rodents to find new food sources,” the company said in the report. “Without food waste to consume, these pests were seen scavenging new areas and exhibiting unusual or aggressive behavior. The presence of rodents became so relevant that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued Rodent Control guidance on ways to keep rats and mice out of homes and businesses.”
Orkin added that the rodent activity in major cities is only expected to get worse as temperatures continue to drop.
"As we approach colder months, rodent activity will only continue increasing as these pests seek shelter in warm areas with available food and water," the company said in the study. "As the U.S. population spends more time at home this season, residents should pay extra attention to the attractants that entice rats and mice."
Chicago topped Orkin's list for the sixth consecutive year. Baltimore moved into the top 10 for the first time at No. 8.
San Diego jumped 13 spots to move into the top 20. The list's top 6 cities remained the same from the previous year.
Here's a look at the complete list of top 50 rattiest cities provided by Orkin.com:
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Washington, D.C.
- San Francisco
- Detroit
- Philadelphia (+3)
- Baltimore (+4)
- Denver
- Minneapolis (-2)
- Cleveland (Ohio) (-4)
- Seattle (+1)
- Boston (+1)
- Atlanta (-3)
- Indianapolis (+1)
- Dallas-Fort Worth (-1)
- Houston
- Pittsburgh
- San Diego (+13)
- Miami (-1)
- New Orleans (+6)
- Cincinnati (+1)
- Portland (Oregon) (-1)
- Milwaukee (-4)
- Norfolk (Virginia) (+1)
- Raleigh (North Carolina) (-2)
- Hartford (Connecticut) (-2)
- Columbus (Ohio) (-7)
- Grand Rapids
- Kansas City (+8)
- Charlotte (North Carolina) (-3)
- Phoenix (+5)
- Richmond (-3)
- Nashville
- Greenville (South Carolina) (-2)
- Sacramento (+5)
- St. Louis (-6)
- Albany (New York) (+10)
- Champaign (Illinois) (-3)
- Green Bay (+18)
- Tampa (-1)
- Flint (+3)
- Buffalo (-8)
- Syracuse (-5)
- Knoxville (+14)
- Orlando (-3)
- Burlington (Virginia) (+2)
- Albuquerque (+19)
- Dayton (-2)
- West Palm Beach (+3)
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