The number of New York cities with rats continues to grow. Six places made the annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities this year, 3 in central New York.

So where are all the rats hanging out? Chicago....for the 4th year in a row. But since rat activity increases when it's cold, it's no surprise New York makes the list several times each year. But every year the number of cities grows. In 2016, Albany, Buffalo and Rochester joined New York City on the list. In 2017 Syracuse was added. This year, add another city.

Burlington, New York is in the new city on the list, coming in at #43, joining Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse and the Big Apple for the rattiest cities. The good news is, Rochester fell 6 spots and New York City and Syracuse dropped 1 on this year's list.

#3 New York City (-1)
#28 Buffalo (+2)
#32 Albany (+4)
#43 Burlington (+11)
#45 Rochester (-6)
#46 Syracuse (-1)

“Rodents don’t need much of an invitation to enter your home,” said Chelle Hartzer, an Orkin entomologist. “A rat can squeeze through an opening as small as a quarter, while a mouse can wedge its way into a hole smaller than a dime.”

Rats cause more than damage to your home too. "Aside from causing structural damage, rodents can carry hundreds of pathogens that can transmit various diseases and dangerous parasites. Additionally, they constantly leave behind droplets of urine as they travel each day. These droppings can contribute to asthma and allergic reactions, especially in children,” Hartzer added.

Orkin provides tips to help prevent rats and mice in and around the home:

  • Inspect both inside and outside the home for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The more quickly rodents are detected, the better.
  • Look for possible entry points outside the home, seal all cracks larger than 1/4 of an inch and install weather strips at the bottom of exterior doors.
  • Trim overgrown branches, plants and bushes to avoid giving them a “jumping off” point.
  • Keep your home clean, inside and out. Clean up crumbs and spills as soon as they happen to avoid leaving food residue or sugary substances that can attract rodents. Store all food (including pet food) in tightly-sealed containers like plastic bins, and never leave food or dishes sitting out overnight.

See all 50 rattiest cities at Orkin.com.

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