So, I love all creatures. I say that. But do I really?
When it comes to bugs, there are a few that I really don’t like. Those “stink bugs” for one. We also get something we call “stink worms,” which are really Millipedes. Maybe it is because of my strong sense of smell, but I’d rather these little creatures would just vanish completely.
But “pests” are a “thing” for a lot of people. I carry most bugs outside. But I know the majority of the people everywhere are crushers, swatters, and squashers. Most of us here in rural parts have it much easier than the big city folk.
I wondered which cities might be in the most trouble. And wouldn’t you know? There have been numerous “studies” on this.
Here is what I found.
The 10 Most Pest-Infested Cities in America
(Source: Toronto-based exterminator Pestend Pest Control)
Data used: 2021 U.S. Census
Pests measured: Rats and cockroaches
Method: Sightings per 100,000 residents
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10. New York City, New York
– Rat sightings: 1,164.9
– Cockroach sightings: 1,225.7
– Combined rate: 27.2 per 100,000
– High total volume, lower per-capita rate due to large population
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9. San Francisco, California
– Combined rat & cockroach rate: 27.7 per 100,000
– Individual pest numbers not specified
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8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
– Combined rat & cockroach rate: 43.6 per 100,000
– Individual pest numbers not specified
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7. Dallas, Texas
– Combined rat & cockroach rate: 45.6 per 100,000
– Individual pest numbers not specified
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6. Houston, Texas
– Rat sightings: 202.9
– Cockroach sightings: 957.5
– Combined rate: 50.4 per 100,000
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5. Riverside, California
– Rat sightings: 89.9
– Cockroach sightings: 134
– Combined rate: 71.1 per 100,000
– High ranking driven by smaller population
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4. Boston, Massachusetts
– Rat sightings: 417.8
– Cockroach sightings: 74.4
– Combined rate: 72.8 per 100,000
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3. Washington, D.C.
– Rat sightings: 384.6
– Cockroach sightings: 228.5
– Combined rate: 83.7 per 100,000
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2. Miami, Florida
– Rat sightings: 80.6
– Cockroach sightings: 543.1
– Combined rate: 141 per 100,000
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1. Atlanta, Georgia
– Rat sightings: 115.3
– Cockroach sightings: 712.3
– Combined rate: 165.9 per 100,000
– Highest per-capita pest rate on the list
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I was pretty surprised by this list. First of all, the fact that Atlanta ranks #1. This was despite not having the highest raw pest counts. But compared to its population size, the pests drive the top per-capita rate.
And how about Miami? They took the #2 spot largely because of cockroaches, not rats. I guess rats aren’t crazy about the ocean.
Riverside, CA, outranks Los Angeles and San Diego due to low population and moderate sightings.
And what about Boston? They have far more rat sightings than cockroach sightings, reversing the pattern seen in southern cities.
Maybe the biggest surprise was The Big Apple. New York City ranks only #10 despite massive total pest sightings. Again, this was because its population dilutes the per-capita rate.
It is clear, though, that cockroaches dominate pest counts in warm, humid climates.
And rats dominate in older, denser northeastern cities.
Southern cities show higher cockroach-to-rat ratios.
Northeastern cities show higher rat-to-cockroach ratios.
In the end, we all sort of strike a big truce with pests. And when you consider things, it all comes down to our perspectives. Most of us don’t like rats, or cockroaches or bedbugs. An infestation of insects is downright gross.
But everyone is meant to be here, one way or the other. Every single insect and rodent included. But all of this reminds us that every place on this planet, urban or rural, northern or southern, is part of the larger picture. The whole big thing.
Every pest plays a part in nature’s design. I still don’t like a stink bug or a millipede. Not one bit. Yet. They are meant to be a part of this place. They have a job to do. A purpose.
We all have one.
May we all live our lives fully without crushing others’ lives.
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“The smallest creature is a mirror of the whole.” — Henry David Thoreau
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“If we kill off the insects, the rest of life on earth will collapse.” — E.O. Wilson
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“Rats and roaches may be despised, but they are survivors in a world we built.” — Diane Ackerman
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“Everything in nature invites us constantly to be what we are.” — Gretel Ehrlich
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