The City of Angels has officially usurped the Windy City's dubious distinction of being the "rattiest" across the United States, according to the latest findings by Orkin. The rankings, which have been recorded for over a decade, have seen Chicago consistently lead until now. Los Angeles claimed the top spot due to its "year-round warm weather, a booming culinary scene, and dense neighborhoods that offer ample access to food and shelter," as cited in NBC Chicago's coverage of the Orkin study.
But mind, the streets of Chicago are still not free from the scuttle and scurry of rodents, maintaining its No. 2 ranking on the undesirable list. As per CBS News Chicago, the city continues to battle the issue, with neighborhoods like Jefferson Park experiencing significant infestations. "In two months, I have killed 19 rats," disclosed Bill Dillon, a local resident, spotlighting the gravity of an enduring struggle.
While Los Angeles and Chicago top the charts, other locales follow with New York City and San Francisco placing third and fourth, respectively. In a bid to combat the rampant rodent population, Chicago has introduced innovative approaches such as rat birth control. This initiative, as reported by NBC Chicago, sees the distribution of fertility-impairing pellets in neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Bucktown to curb rat reproduction rates.
Despite the challenges and changes in ranking, elements of rat-related notoriety have remained in the hearts (or perhaps nightmares) of Chicagoans. A viral sensation arose from an alleged "rat hole" in Roscoe Village, which, later, much to the amusement of the local population, was found to be made by a squirrel, CBS News Chicago reminisces. Nonetheless, the humor in this incident contrasts sharply with the daily realities faced by those dwelling amongst the top contenders on Orkin's least-welcomed list.
