Michigan Has 3 of the ‘Top Rat Infested’ Cities In the US

Pure Michigan. Land of majestic lakes, gorgeous landscapes, and...rats? Yup, it seems Michigan has been crowned one of the nation's rodent capitals based on Orkin's rodent calls to homes and businesses. Not one, but 3 Michigan cities made this year's list.

Related: How to Safely and Humanely Remove Michigan Bats From Your Home

What's attracting these vermin? An increase in food sources in one of their favorite environments. Since outdoor dining options have multiplied so have the opportunities for these furry little crawlers to grab a meal in the form of a dropped french fry.

 Michigan's Most Rat-Infested Cities

• Flint, Michigan: Coming in at number 40 on Orkin's list of the United States' most Rat Infested Cities, with is an improvement. In last year's ranking, Flint was number 34, so it seems that work has been done to curb the rat population.

• Grand Rapids, Michigan: Ranking 31st, Grand Rapids moved up one slot from 32 the previous year. Its downtown boasts dozens of options for outdoor dining which may have led to the increase of rodents in the metro.

• Detroit, Michigan: Seeing as that it is one of the largest cities in the Mitten State, it's no surprise that it has the highest occurrence of rodent calls. Detroit ranks number 9 on Orkin's Top 50 Most Rat Invested Cities in the US, which is ironic for a city that has two professional sports teams with cats as mascots.

Here's a look at the Top 10 of Orkin's list:

1. Chicago
2. New York
3. Los Angeles
4. Washington, D.C.
5. San Fransico
6. Philadelphia
7. Baltimore
8. Cleveland
9. Detroit
10. Denver

If you're concerned about a possible rodent population moving into your home, here are some tips from Orkin on how to keep them out:

• Store away food. Small crumbs and garbage are popular food sources, as are dry goods such as grains and cereals. These should be kept in sealed metal or glass containers to prevent contamination.

• Declutter. Cardboard objects prove attractive to rodents, as they tend to chew them up for use in their nests. Take advantage of your extra time at home to clean and organize crowded spaces around the house.

• Maintain your landscaping. Tall grass with adequate harborages, such as woodpiles next to the house, can be ideal habitats for rodents. Tree branches in contact with homes can also offer rodents easy access to the upper levels of your home where they may find a way into the attic.

• Inspect both inside and outside your home. Keep an eye out for rodent droppings, burrows and rub marks along baseboards and walls. The sooner rodents are detected, the better.

• Look for possible entry points. Seal any holes and cracks that are found around your home. Install weather strips around entryways, especially under doors, to help keep mice out of your home.

For Orkin's full list, click here.