Rats in Los Angeles are becoming an Epidemic

The City of Angeles is the new ‘City of Rats.’ According to some news reports, Los Angeles has been ranked the 2^nd most ‘rattiest city’ in the United States, surpassing New York, Washington DC, and Oakland (San Francisco) with only Chicago ahead of it.

Should it worry homeowners and businesses in Los Angeles? It should if they have not undertaken rodent-proofing of their buildings.

Substantial Increase in Rodent Control Requests in California

According to a report released by a political action committee in July 2019, dense urban areas in California such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are experiencing rodent infestations on a scale that have not been witnessed in a very long time.

The team that prepared this report spoke with 23 pest control companies operating in California and found that rat service requests had spiked quite a lot in a year.

Apparently, requests from homeowners and businesses in California for controlling or handling Norway rat (also called brown or sewer rat) and roof rat (also called black rat) infestations had nearly doubled in a period of 10 years.

Niamh Quinn, Human-Wildlife Interactions Advisor with the University of California in 2019 remarked, “I’ve never seen this many droppings, ever.”

No Formal Program in Place to Control Rat Population

In June 2019, an NBC4 report said that despite the steps to remove huge heaps of uncollected garbage, the city’s rodent population is “exploding.” A month earlier, the news broadcaster had reported how huge piles of rotting garbage left uncollected in Los Angeles attracted rats and raised the concerns of an epidemic.

While major U.S. cities such as New York and Washington DC have dedicated teams exploring options and implementing various rat control plans aggressively, Los Angeles is yet to have a formal program in place to control the growing rat population that not only threatens to burn holes in the pockets of the public but also poses a serious public health risk.

The Threat to Public Health Duet to Growing Rat Population is real

In October 2018, an outbreak of endemic typhus (flea-borne) – an infectious disease – was identified in downtown LA. The disease spreads to humans from bacteria found in infected rodents; infection generally happens when infected rodents’ feces are rubbed into the cuts in the skin or the eyes. 124 people in Los Angeles City were diagnosed with typhus, more than double the previous year’s figure. During 2013-2017, 60 cases per year were reported on average in the county.

Typhus is just one of the many serious health risks posed by a growing population of rodents, including rats and mice. An out-of-control rat population in a crowded city like Los Angeles can even lead to the spread of deadly strains of bubonic plague and salmonella. In fact, doctors have already warned that rat infestation sweeping across Los Angeles may lead to the re-emergence of the plague.

Put simply, if you are a homeowner in Los Angeles, you can no longer blissfully ignore the possibility of rats, mice, and other such rodents invading your home.

No one living in one of the rattiest cities in the U.S. can. Besides posing health dangers, rats are also notorious for damaging the walls, foundations, attics, plumbing, electrical cables, ventilation systems, etc.

The damages can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars.

Therefore, both rat control is a necessity if you are living in Los Angeles.

What Can a Homeowner in LA do to prevent a Rat Infestation?

The least you can do is to protect your own dwelling from an otherwise imminent and costly rat infestation in the near future. Do not let yourself believe that it won’t happen to you.

Learn how to spot a rat infestation at an early stage. Remember to inspect areas such as your attic and basement on a regular basis to check for the signs of rodent infestation.  

Identify and seal all potential rat or mouse entry points into your home. Rodent-proofing is a must if you want to keep these hungry critters out of your property.

When you think you need help with rodent control in Los Angeles, just ask for it. Do not wait for a rat infestation to grow in severity. Do not make the mistake of relying on DIY rodent control methods. They don’t work.

You can call us at (818) 583-7287 and speak with a state-licensed rodent control expert right away.

We are here to answer any questions that you may have or provide you with a free estimate.