Los Angeles is 2nd 'rattiest' city in America, even 'rattier' than last year: survey

LOS ANGELES - Oh, rats!

Los Angeles is once again considered one of the "rattiest" cities in America.

That's according to recent data from Orkin, as it released its annual list of "Top 50 Rattiest Cities in America" for 2023.

Los Angeles ranked second in the country, up from last year when it placed third. 

Chicago ranked #1, then Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., and San Francisco rounding out the top five. 

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Orkin ranked metro regions by the number of new rodent treatments performed from Sept.1, 2022, to Aug. 31, 2023. This ranking includes both residential and commercial pest control treatments.

File photo of a rat in a pipe. (AFP via Getty Images)

"Rodents multiply swiftly and when an infestation is left unattended, they can cause extensive damage to homes and yards," said Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist. "Rats are capable of squeezing into spaces through holes as small as a quarter, which makes it especially important to seal cracks from the outside."

Here are some tips you can take to keep these unwelcome little visitors away:

• Keep food stored away
• Clear out the clutter
• Keep landscaping under control
• Inspect both inside and outside your home and look for any possible entry points