Colorado City Named One of The Most Rat-Infested Cities in The U.S.

Colorado is one of the prettiest places to live in America. While it costs more to live here, life in the Centennial State offers 14er mountains, wild natural rivers, and countless wildlife encounters.

While every state has its upside, each one has a few issues residents would like to change. In Colorado, we would love to get rid of the rats. Yes, the rats. Did you know one Colorado city has one of the worst rat infestations anywhere in America?

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Orkin's Rattiest Cities in America

The people at Orkin Pest Control have been battling termites, insects, and rodents in America since 1901. Each year, Orkin updates a list of the "rattiest cities in America." The most recent list was updated at the end of 2023, and one Colorado city is way too close to the top of the list for comfort. Orkin estimates that rats enter more than 21 million homes in America each winter. The CDC says rats can carry diseases like Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, and Monkeypox.

In Colorado, rats are most noticeable in the winter when they try to get inside homes and businesses to escape the cold. Did you know a full-size rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter to get inside your home?

Denver, Colorado Named 8th Rattiest City In America

According to Orkin, Denver, Colorado, has the 8th worst rat infestation in America. Orkin says the city of Chicago has America's worst rat infestation and has for most of the past decade. They even had special t-shirts made for the rattiest city.

Keeping Rats Away

Keep rats away by denying them a food source. Orkin says to keep all of your food sealed and stored. Rats love cardboard, so make sure you remove clutter they love to chew on and use for nests. Sealing cracks or openings on the exterior of your home can help keep them from getting inside.