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2 Florida Cities Make List Of Most Roach-Infested Cities In America

2 Florida Cities Make List Of Most Roach-Infested Cities In America

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

I'm not sure anyone likes seeing roaches, and 2 Florida cities have made the list of the most roach-infested cities in America.

Some things just give you the heebie-jeebies and for me, roaches definitely fit into that category. In general for me, bugs don't bother me too much. But roaches are just gross. When I first moved to Fort Myers, I was warned of the palmetto bugs. They resemble roaches a little too much for me, and they're fast little buggers too. Big, crunchy bugs like that are just...ew.

Cockroaches may be good for the ecosystem, but no one really wants them around. They are, of course, often found scurrying about in dark corners or lurking in damp areas. I watch Hoarders too much, and those roaches are everywhere, just thriving in unsanitary conditions. And when you read about restaurants that don't pass inspections, chances are there were signs of roaches, whether they're seen crawling on countertops or darting out from under appliances. These bugs are always associated with dirt, disease, and decay.

2 Florida Cities Make List Of Most Roach-Infested Cities In America

Pest Gnome ranked the most roach-infested cities in America and 2 cities in Florida made the list. Tampa came in at #3 and Miami came in #6. With the heat and humidity, roaches love those conditions, so I'm kind of surprised more cities here in the Sunshine State didn't make the cut. But I'm ok with that, that's for sure.

Pest Gnome has a few tips to prevent roaches from coming into your home. First, seal any points of entry so they can't make their way inside. Second, make sure you clean up any stray crumbs. Also fix any leaky pipes. If you're still having roach problems, call an exterminator.

Florida Has 3 Of The Most Rat Infested Cities In The Country

Let me start of by saying that no where in Florida is nearly as bad as Chicago. That city is on top of Orkin’s Top 50 Rat Infested Cities List for the ninth year in a row. I witnessed this first hand while staying at a hotel in downtown Chicago. We were several floors up and our view overlooked an alley. We noticed a dog poking around the dumpsters. A dog with a very long tail. Once it got closer to the light we realized it was the biggest rat you could image. Florida can't begin to come close to the rats they have in Chicago.

Orkin ranked metro regions by the number of new rodent treatments performed from Sept.1, 2022, to Aug. 31, 2023. This ranking includes both residential and commercial pest control treatments. Pretty efficient way of measuring the problems.

After Chicago comes another rat haven that I'm familiar with. Los Angeles. In the latest rankings, Los Angles has now overtaken New York for the second spot. Congratulations?

After New York at 3, comes Washington DC at 4, and San Francisco at 5.

There are rats in Florida, however the 3 Florida cities that made the list are much further down. Our rat problems aren't nearly as bad as the cities on top the list. Additionally, one thing to note, of the 3 Florida cities that made the list, all moved up in the rankings over the previous year. So our rat problem seems to be growing.

If you don't believe there's rats in Southwest Florida, plant a mango tree in your yard. They'll find you.

Here's the most rat infested cities in Florida, and their national rankings.

MIAMI-FT. LAUDERDALE

Miami is the rattiest city in Florida, ranking number 19 on the list nationally. That's up from 20th place last year. I've never personally seen a rat in Miami, but I also stick to the nicer parts of town when I'm there.

TAMPA-ST. PETE

Tampa jumped 5 spots in this year's rankings, coming in at number 36 nationally. Unlike Miami, I have personally witnessed rats around dumpsters at an apartment complex in Tampa. That's why you don't take your trash out at night. Also, what's the meaning behind throwing rats on the hockey rink?

Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates back to the bench amongst plastic rats littering the ice following a third period goal by Owen Tippett #74 of the Florida Panthers in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the BB&T Center on May 16, 2021 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

ORLANDO-DAYTONA BCH

Not sure why they lumped Orlando and Daytona Beach together to put them at number 37 on the list. This pairing is up 12 spots since last year's rankings. If there's a rat problem in Orlando, I don't see it. It always seemed to me that the city was pretty clean. Except for that one rat over in Disney, but I hear he's quite the cook.

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MarijaEditor
Marija is a morning show host on WXKB/B1039 and midday host on WRXK/96KRock. She loves to write about food, travel, and things to do around the state of Florida.