This Minnesota City Now One of Most Rodent-Infested in the Country

The numbers are in and one Minnesota city has just been included on the list of cities where rats are running rampant!

While we certainly have our pests here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes (I'm talking about you, mosquitoes and gnats), Minnesota is somewhat lucky in that our cold climate makes it less likely to find other types of pests, like cockroaches or scorpions. Sure, there are cockroaches in Minnesota, but not to the degree there are in other cities and states.

Speaking of pests, you might associate rats with bigger cities like New York, Philadelphia or Chicago, but did you know that rats can, in fact, be found right here in the North Star State too? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says that there are two types that are most common here in our neck of the woods:

Old world rats and mice are represented in Minnesota by the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus). Both species are capable of producing several litters a year and are notorious for damaging property.

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So, I guess it makes sense then, that this Minnesota city was just included on the 2024 list of the U.S. Cities With The Most Rats and Mice. The list, commissioned by Terminex, looked at data from over 300 Terminix branches across the country and compiled the list of cities where rodent control services were used most frequently.

So which Minnesota city made the list this year? That'd be the North Star State's largest metro area, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which together entered the Terminex list at number 32 out of 50. New York City was the number-one city with the most rats and mice, followed by San Francisco/Oakland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. to round out the top five.

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Curiously, no other Minnesota cities even made the list this year, nor did any cities located in our neighboring states of Wisconsin, Iowa or either North or South Dakota.

The Terminex survey also noted that a serious rat or mouse problem is not only a nuisance but can also be a health hazard to your home. They can chew through wires, contaminate food, and transmit diseases. Their droppings can also contain harmful bacteria and parasites.

To prevent mice and rats from entering your home, here’s what you can do:

• Seal possible entry points, such as cracks and openings around doors, windows, and foundations, using durable materials.
• Store food in airtight containers to reduce attraction.
• Keep your living spaces clean, promptly removing crumbs and food residues.
• Regularly dispose of garbage in tightly sealed bins to minimize food sources.
• Organize cluttered storage areas to limit potential nesting sites.

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