The Most ‘Rattiest’ Cities in Pennsylvania

Pest control company Orkin has reported that every fall, approximately 21 million American homes are invaded by mice and other rodents. Between October and February, these pests are looking for food, shelter from the cold, and water.

"Rodents multiply swiftly and when an infestation is left unattended, they can cause extensive damage to homes and yards," said Ben Hottel, an Orkin entomologist. "Rats are capable of squeezing into spaces through holes as small as a quarter, which makes it especially important to seal cracks from the outside."

The pest control company released its annual list of the top 50 most infested rat cities. These rankings are determined by the number of new rodent control services requested, thus indicating the extent of demand and the efforts made by residents and businesses to combat rodent problems. It’s worth mentioning that their ranking includes both residential and commercial pest control services.

Unfortunately, two cities in Pennsylvania have earned a place on the list of “rattiest” cities, with one of them securing a spot in the top 6. In this year's rankings, Philadelphia’s at number 6, and Pittsburgh was at number 16.

At the top of their ranking is Chicago. The city has maintained its position as the city with the highest rodent activity in the United States for the ninth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has reclaimed the second position, and New York has moved down to third place. Washington, D.C., and San Francisco complete the top five cities on the list.

Orkin offers valuable recommendations for preventing rats and mice from invading your home. One of the most critical steps is not to leave food out. Store grains, cereals, and crumbs in sealed containers to prevent rodents from finding food sources. Additionally, declutter your living space and avoid leaving cardboard items out, as rodents use them for nests.

Moreover, your home's surroundings play a vital role in rodent prevention. Keep tall grass, woodpiles, and tree branches away from your home to deter rodents from finding shelter and entry points. To proactively combat rodent infestations, it's recommended that you regularly inspect both the interior and exterior of your home for signs such as droppings, burrows, and rub marks along baseboards and walls.

Lastly, address any cracks or holes that could serve as access points for rodents. Consider installing weather strips around entryways, especially under doors, to create an effective barrier against unwanted intruders.

Take a look at the full list here.

Have you ever tried a fragrance and thought to yourself, "Wow, this smells awful?" Then you wonder why and how anyone would ever enjoy that smell. Just like our sense of taste, smells are based on preference. For example, your friend may like the smell of corpse flowers (the worst-smelling flower in the world) and burnt hair while you like the smell of roses and bonfires. 

"Most people assume we all like the smell of roses and hate the smell of skunk... with the exception of irritating odors, smell is something we come to know from personal and cultural experiences." noted lead researcher Rachel Herz, PhD, in a 2005 Brown University study.

Alan R Hirsch, the founder and neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment & Research Foundation, explained to NPR that “the factors that influence our sense of smell are actually a combination of cultural, genetic, and environmental factors.”

There are certain smells that almost everyone loves. From the new car smell (which may not be good for you) and freshly baked bread to Sharpies and gasoline. People enjoy a variety of aromas and find some more pleasant than others. The scents we smell can change our moods and emotions. Sometimes, it can even bring us back to long-forgotten events and memories.

Here are 10 unusual smells most people enjoy.

It could be due to its association with nail salons. It's where many people find a moment of relaxation.

Should you thank their hair care routine for this? Or maybe you’re a fan of their pheromones? Let's just call it a chemically compatible match.

Some people enjoy the smell of recycled rubber, glue, and a slight hint of petroleum.

It's probably not because it can make you high. It may have more to do with nostalgia. Sharpies and markers tend to smell like childhood to some people.

It makes sense that some people like the smell of chlorine. Most people are reminded of memories by the pool. Or maybe an abundance of laundry.

It may be something with the smell combination of fresh paper and book adhesive, mixed with the excitement of getting a new book.

Do you ever catch a whiff of yourself and actually don't mind it? Maybe, it's because it's your own scent. Some studies show that we've adapted to like our own odors, to help us maintain proper hygiene.

It has that "cold" smell that’s similar to when the AC blows in the car.

Some people like it because it "smells like the country.” The smell is supposedly associated with fresh air and fields of farmland.

Someone loved this scent so much that they created a crowdfunding site for a candle that "always smells like it's not actually burning while it’s burning." They described the smell as a "warm, smoky aroma."