LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A new report from business review company Yelp gives Los Angeles the top spot for being the most rat-infested city in the United States.
“Los Angeles earned the unenviable title of America’s #1 rodent hotspot, with more Yelp searches for rodent services than any other city. Los Angeles’s densely populated neighborhoods create the perfect hiding spots for these tiny trespassers, especially as drought conditions drive wildlife closer to homes in search of food and water,” Yelp said in its Fall Infestation Index report.
San Francisco came in at number 2, while New York, which has achieved social media stardom due to the city’s well-known relationship with rodents, came in third place. Honolulu, Hawaii rounded the list of 20 with the title of least rattiest city. Click here to see the full list.
FILE – Baby rats sleep in a nest in Los Angeles, on March 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Rodent-control removal services can run your wallet around $225, but if the infestation grows, it could cost you hundreds in bills down the road. And as autumn brings cooler temperatures, these rodents will do what they can to seek warmth, including finding the tiniest gaps to gain entry into your home.
Yelp’s report includes the following helpful tips to keep these uninvited guests out:
Seal gaps that allow rodents to enter, including vents, doors, spaces around pipes, cracks in your foundation, and even window frames.
Clear the clutter and reduce hiding spots, think about anything that includes nesting materials like cardboard, fabric, or old newspapers.
Make sure you don’t have any open trash containers and spilled snacks, and store all food in airtight containers, including pet food.
“As the seasons change, it’s smart to schedule a professional rodent inspection – especially if your home is older or located near parks or wooded areas,” the report says.
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