More Money And Crews To Fight Rats In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other city leaders outlined a plan to combat the city's rat problem Wednesday. The city plans to replace old garbage cans and add five new rodent-baiting crews in the new year. The city's 2018 budget includes more money for 10,000 new cart garbage cans.

"We have a serious problem and we are going to put serious resources into that problem to fix it," the mayor said.

Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charles Williams said the extra garbage carts would "go a long way" in reducing rat populations. He also said fertility bait can be effective.

"If you see rodents, please call 311. That will help us dispatch our crews," Emanuel tweeted.

For a third year, Chicago has earned the dubious distinction of rattiest U.S. city by Orkin, which released its list of the top 50 rodent-infested metro areas last month. Chicago has held the unfortunate title for three years in a row.

The city said 2017 has seen at least 1,500 more complaints by the end of September than the same month last year.

The species of rat found in Chicago is the Norway rat, and their risk of spreading disease can be high. They carry a variety of potentially infected fleas and ticks, which can be passed along to people. Norway rats are excellent climbers, swimmers, and love to come out at night.

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