If you’re a resident of Chicago and have been finding unwelcomed rodent visitors scurrying around your neighborhood, and even in your own backyard, you’re not alone. Chicago has been losing its war on rats, and for now, the pesky critters aren’t going anywhere.  

Chicago’s Growing Rodent Problem

Urban areas are common grounds for rat infestations, and Chicago is no expectation. Just last year, Chicago residents reported over 50,000 rat complaints. This is significantly more than past years. In 2021, the city reached record numbers, with 65,897 complaints. While 2022 showed a slight decline, the complaints were still higher than any other previous years. So what’s causing the exponential growth in rodents?

Key Factors and Causes

There are multiple contributing factors to Chicago’s rat problem. The city’s urban environment, known for its densely packed neighborhoods, is a main factor of the problem. The rodents find themselves in ideal situations within the tightly packed alleys, where the residents’ trash is discarded and piled up. Trash cans that are not properly sealed provide an abundance of food supply, allowing the population to increase.

The infrastructure of the communities within the city, including sewers, abandoned buildings, and cluttered properties, provide rats with an abundance of shelter. Overgrown vegetation is just one example of a hiding place for them to burrow. This issue is heightened due to Chicago’s extreme weather, with its very hot summers and frigid winters. When it starts to get cold, the rodents will seek shelter, commonly within the residential areas. 

Another major contributory factor to the infestation is construction sites. Chicago is an ever growing city, and it is not uncommon for companies to take on construction jobs without first addressing the rat problem of the area, leading to an increase in population for the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, this is due to city loopholes that allow for major construction projects to begin with no consideration of the rats. When a project starts, the rodents are displaced, causing them to seek shelter elsewhere. This will lead them to your backyard, or even inside your home. 

Taking Action: Simple Steps to Control Rat Infestations in Chicago

While rats are not anything new for Chicago, they have become an increasing problem, leaving its residents to share their properties with the creatures. There are, however, steps to be taken to prevent and control your infestation. 

The first, and most important step is to ensure your garbage has no access points. Caps that don’t seal, or holes on the side, will allow the rats to get inside and access their food source. To further rat-proof your cans, there are a few deterrents that can be sprayed on the inside and outside. These include: ammonia, peppermint oil, and castor oil. Along with eliminating food sources, it is also important to avoid providing water sources. Ensure there is no standing water around. 

In addition, keeping a managed and tidy property gives them less hiding areas. Avoid a cluttered yard, as rats will seek shelter anywhere they can hide. Damaged structures or buildings with holes will provide entry holes for the rats. They will build their nests in nooks and crannies, as well as under the ground and beneath thick patches of plants or rubble.

Learn how rodents get from your backyard to inside your home:

Enjoy a Rat free backyard with our Chicagoland Area Pest Control Experts! Call us now at (773) 570-0070 to protect your home and family.