A recent survey conducted by the popular pest control company, Orkin, has left residents in Denver saying, "Oh rats!" That's because Colorado's capital has landed itself a spot on the list as being one of the rattiest cities in America...and no, this list isn't referring to the sweaters and jeans worn by hipsters strolling the 16th Street Mall. Orkin ranked the top fifty rattiest cities based on the number of rodent treatments the company performed between October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016, which included both residential and commercial treatments. Although Denver wasn't at the very top, it did come in at number ten for being one of the most rat-filled towns. Check out the complete list here.

Top 10 Rattiest Cities in the U.S.
  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

Fall marks the start of rodent season, and as the weather gets colder, unwanted pests like rats and mice seek out food, water and a warm shelter in order to survive. This is not only a health threat for humans, but these tiny creatures can also cause tons of damage to homes and businesses, so Orkin recommends these helpful tips for keeping rats away from your property:

  • Inspect both inside and outside for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls and look for possible entry points outside the home; Seal cracks and holes if any are found and also install weather strips around entryways and under doors to keep rats from sneaking in
  • Store food properly by keeping it sealed tightly in rodent-proof containers like plastic bins or metal canisters and always clean up crumbs and spills as soon as they happen
  • 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

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