D.C. ranks in Top 10 cities with pest problems

WASHINGTON – D.C. ranks in the top five cities with the worst pest problem.

The District has the worst tick problem in the country, according to pest control company Orkin. The numbers are based on the pest treatments Orkin performed in 2012.

As part of National Pest Month, Orkin listed the District in its Top 10 cities with the worst pest control issues. And it’s only going to get worse as the weather gets warmer, the news release says.

“We know that pests become more active as the weather gets warmer. There are more food sources, and many of the pests breed,” says Orkin entomologist Ron Harrison. “As people do their spring cleaning, they should also prepare their homes and backyards against unwanted guests.”

As far as the other cities on the list go, Chicago has the most treatment for ants, bed bugs, rodents and spiders. Atlanta see the most treatment for mosquitoes. And Los Angeles has the most cockroaches and termite fumigation calls.

Top 10 cities with worst pest problems:

1. Chicago
2. Los Angeles
3. Atlanta
4. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
5. Washington, D.C.
6. New York
7. Detroit
8. Houston
9. Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville, N.C.
10. Dallas/Ft. Worth