Did you know that last week was Rodent Awareness Week? Unfortunately, here in L.A. we're painfully aware of rats. According to Yelp's new Fall Infestation Index, the city is officially the nation’s number one rodent hotspot, with data to show for it.
Yelp reports that nationwide searches for “rodent” have jumped 21% compared to last year but, in L.A., the spike is especially sharp.
Why are we dealing with such an issue, you may wonder? Experts point to density and drought as culprits. The city’s sprawling neighborhoods, tightly packed housing and unpredictable weather create prime real estate for rodents, too. With less rain, rats and mice venture out of storm drains and dry hillsides, hunting for food and water—often finding both in garages, crawl spaces and under kitchen sinks.
According to the survey, San Francisco is the second rattiest city in the U.S. (mainly due to its older architecture and close quarters), rapidly followed by New York City (home to the kind of rats that become social media stars).
Still, while L.A. may lead the nation in unwanted visitors, there’s hope for homeowners. Simple moves like sealing cracks, securing food and keeping trash bins tight can make a big difference.
Think you might have a problem with rodents? Yelp even has a new Yelp Assistant that can analyze photos of droppings and damage, identify the cause and connect you with top-rated rodent specialists. But with the average rodent removal service costing around $225, prevention is a lot cheaper than an infestation, so stash those midnight snacks in a tightly-sealed container, clean up your kitchen and clear out any clutter before the rats make themselves at home.
The most rodent-prone cities according to Yelp Searches
1. Los Angeles, CA
2. San Francisco, CA
3. New York, NY
4. Chicago, IL
5. Washington, DC
6. Seattle, WA
7. Dallas, TX
8. Austin, TX
9. Phoenix, AZ
10. Boston, MA
11. Portland, OR
12. Philadelphia, PA
13. Miami, FL
14. Denver, CO
15. Las Vegas, NV
16. Tampa, FL
17. Atlanta, GA
18. Minneapolis, MN
19. Baltimore, MD
20. Honolulu, HI