New York ranked third on the list of 'most rat cities' in the United States

Rats flooded the streets of New York, making the Big Apple one of the "ratiest cities" in the country. How to protect your home from the penetration of rodents inside, reported on the website pix11.com.

Pest control company Orkin has released a list of America's Most Rat Cities as of 2020. New York ranked third among 50 cities.

Only two other cities bypassed the Big Apple: Los Angeles second place, and Chicago for the sixth year in a row - the first.

Washington и San Francisco also made it into the top five. For a complete list, click here.

The Pest Control Company ranked the counties for the number of new rodent treatments carried out from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020. The rating included both household and commercial treatments.

What provoked an increase in the number of rodents

The number of rodents was found to have increased amid the closure of restaurants due to the coronavirus pandemic, as rodents were forced to seek new food sources. “In the absence of food waste for consumption, these pests were seen looking for new food sources and exhibiting unusual or aggressive behavior,” Orkin said in a press release.

Orkin believes that rodent activity will increase as the colder months approach, especially in warm places that can provide shelter for them.

How to protect your home from rodent infestation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released guidance on how to protect homes and businesses from rats and mice.

Here are some tips to help you prevent rodents at home:

• Don't disregard food. For rats and mice, not only garbage, but even small crumbs such as grains and cereals can serve as a food source; they should be stored in sealed metal or glass containers.
• Get rid of trash and unnecessary things. Cardboard items are attractive to rodents as they use them to create nests. So get rid of old and unnecessary things and clean up the area around the house.
• Do not forget to mow the grass at home in time. Tall grass and lush vegetation are ideal habitats for rodents. Branches of trees in contact with the house can also give them easy access to the attic.
• Examine the area in and around your home for rodent droppings and burrows. The sooner you find rodents, the easier it will be to get rid of the problem.
• Look for possible entry points for rats and mice outside the house. Get rid of cracks and holes, if any. Use a sealant to remove crevices and holes, especially under doors, to prevent rodents from entering.