How Many Rats Are in Chicago?
WouterCounting rats in a city is very difficult, especially since they reproduce so quickly. There was a popular misconception that there were one rat for every person in a big city, but that myth was long ago disproved. Nonetheless, according to a RentHop study, there are more than 60,000 complaints per year about rat activity in Chicago. By comparison, there were less than 26,000 complaints about rats in New York.
Rats are omnivores, and they can live for up to six months. Females can have litters of as many as eight rat pups a year. They are also able to breed at a young age, and males and females reach sexual maturity at three months old. The average size of a litter is eight to twelve pups. Bernahl has seen rats in his neighborhood burrowing in waste bins and rummaging through bushes. The rats he has seen are large and can weigh more than a cat.
The rat problem in Chicago isn’t new, but it’s getting worse. The recent mild winter has increased the number of rats. Chicago pest control companies have seen an increase in calls and emergency calls this winter. Some of their workers even discovered fresh rat tracks in the snow! Luckily, residents can reduce the number of rats in their homes by taking precautions, including installing mesh screens, weather stripping, and tightening gaps. Residents can also call 311 to report any signs of rat infestations.
